Government declares all roads in Zimbabwe a State of Disaster
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services informs the public that all roads have been declared as a state of disaster. This was discussed during the cabinet briefing chaired by the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The statement reads,
“Cabinet resolved that all roads in the country be declared a State of Disaster. The Declaration will facilitate the release of resources for the repair and rehabilitation of all roads that require such works. Restorative works will cover all urban, rural and trunk roads.”
“It will also pave way for the standardization of quality under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. The necessary legal procedures to give effect to the declaration is being worked on.”
Government declares all roads in Zimbabwe a ‘State of Disaster’
This comes after the collapse of the Skyline-Chimanimani highway that resulted in the death of Silas Mandiri. Also the programme to fix roads commences after the Government accepted that tollgates be paid in foreign currency which will increase revenue to do so. Roads in Zimbabwe have been in a state of disaster for a very long time as is evident from the former Chief Executive Officer of Netone Cellullar Mr Reward Kangai’s tweet saying,
“Tarmacdermization of Murambinda – Birchenough Bridge Road is long overdue. AfDB pledged to fund the National project but withdrew, following year 2000 Fast Track Land Reform Program. Project Capital cost & maintenance would be lower if road goes from Marenga BC.”
Much of the blame on the state of roads in urban areas is put on the local authorities run by the opposition party specifically the MDC. The Secretary of information Nick Mangwana emphasizes that the state of roads is a result of neglect by local authorities.
“This includes all urban roads so far neglected by Local Authorities. Resources are going to be channeled towards repair and rehabilitation of these roads. When you see it happening, you know who,” Mangwana said.
The President of Zimbabwe during his address on the 4th of February 2021 mentioned that the current Urban Local Authorities have failed to execute their duties.