The Bulawayo City Council has embarked on an ambitious project to rehabilitate most of its roads at a cost of about $1 million by year-end.
According to latest council minutes, the project which covers 39 roads stretching over 13,7 kilometres, will be bankrolled by the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (Zinara).
The project is aimed at sprucing up the city’s road network as most of the roads have outlived their lifespan.
Reseals or slurry seals have been planned for seven roads including Percy Ibbortson, Old Falls, Nketa, Coghlan, Old Esigodini, Cecil Avenue and Ascot Way, covering an area of 142 250 square meters at a cost of $815 092,50.
“In the next allocation from Zinara, the section of Khami Road from the intersection of Masiyephambili to Intemba Road will be targeted,” the council resolved.
Other roads earmarked for a facelift include Goderich, Woodville, Ndaba, Nkulumane, Muzomuhle, Glenville and Eastcourt.
Debating the issue last Thursday, councillors rapped Zinara for delaying the release of funds.
“So far, Zinara has not disbursed any allocation towards our annual implementation plan, which included the roads that are supposed to be rehabilitated this year,” the council said.
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“Due to limited financial resources, this work will have to spread over the whole year or carried over to the next financial year.”
But, Bulawayo mayor councillor Thaba Moyo, who is a Zinara board member urged council to be patient saying the board was only appointed in February.
“There is need to have a policy on the disbursement of funds so that the people are informed on how much money they will be receiving per year, so give Zinara a chance and good things will come,” he said.
To date, the council has received $300 000 from Zinara.
