Sinokubonga Nkala
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, smoyo@chronicle.co.zw
DIFFLOCK Construction, the newly-appointed contractor for the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road project, has established its base on-site and made significant progress.
The company has successfully laid base material along a 26km stretch from Ngwigwisi Bridge, past Badala Business Centre in Bubi.
The next phase of the project, sub-base compaction, is set to begin shortly.
Sub-base compaction involves using a compactor to create a solid foundation for a project by smoothing out loose elements such as soil, sand, or gravel.
The road is part of the 33 roads that the Government has designated as 2025 priority road projects across the country. This includes the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho road, Cecil Avenue, and Jacaranda roads in Bulawayo, where it plans to rehabilitate a 12, 2km stretch. For the Bulawayo-Nkayi and Bulawayo-Tsholotsho roads, the target is 50km, according to the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, in his 2025 budget presentation.
Minister Ncube stated that in support of the roads upgrading and rehabilitation programme, ZiG$27, 5 billion will be allocated towards the projects. The Department of Roads will receive a substantial portion, the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida) will also receive funding, while the largest share will go to the road fund.
The Bulawayo-Nkayi and Bulawayo-Tsholotsho roads fall under the Department of Roads and the road fund, while RIDA is mainly responsible for feeder roads within rural district councils.
“Feeder roads are a critical component of the Government’s rural industrialisation and development strategy. In this regard, the capacitation of RIDA through a US$75 million loan facility will enable the aggressive rehabilitation and upgrading of rural road infrastructure, including opening up new arteries in underserved areas and other economic activity centres. The equipment financed through the facility is being delivered,” said Professor Ncube.
Bubi constituency legislator, who is also the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Simelisizwe Sibanda, expressed satisfaction and confidence that the new contractor will meet the Government’s target, judging by the speed of the work so far. He said the rehabilitation of the road will have a significant economic impact on the two districts, Bubi and Nkayi, while easing travel challenges for both motorists and the public.
“We are pleased with the progress taking place soon after Ngwigwisi Bridge. That is where the other contractor, who is having contractual issues, ends. The new contractor starts from the bridge and will cover 26km. The rate at which they are moving is pleasing us,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.
He said that Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development officials informed him that, barring any unforeseen eventualities, they expect the scope of works to be completed by the end of next year.
“The whole idea is to cover 50km, including the part under the old contractor. This will ease the challenges faced by the travelling public and motorists, resulting in a major economic impact for Bubi and Nkayi,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.
He said that the resumption of work on the road was another confirmation that the Second Republic is committed to the development of the province, which has seen numerous projects being initiated, with some already completed and commissioned.
“Without necessarily talking about this road, there have been many projects in Matabeleland North completed by the Second Republic under the able leadership of President Mnangagwa, including here in Bubi. A total of 20 solarised boreholes have been installed in Bubi constituency, giving us full confidence that the Bulawayo-Nkayi road will be completed as per President Mnangagwa’s promises. He walks the talk,” he said.
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