Councils and RIDA combine efforts to rebuild infrastructure

Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

While farmers in Mashonaland West welcomed the long-awaited rains in late December, the heavy downpours unfortunately led to significant infrastructure damage, including homes, classroom blocks, roads and bridges.

The Civil Protection Department reported widespread destruction across the province.

In response, rural district councils and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) have commenced efforts to rehabilitate the roads affected by the incessant rains.

This initiative is part of a broader exercise by RIDA, which recently received 26 tractors from central Government to facilitate road repairs and maintenance.

In Sanyati district, the rains severely impacted both main and feeder roads.

The chief executive officer of Sanyati RDC Mr Achim Shadaya, noted that the council, supported by local farmers and miners, has begun addressing the damaged road sections.

“We have started hauling and dumping gravel, after which our grader will be assigned for spreading,” he said.

So far, the council has successfully covered 23km of the Kadoma-Alabama Road and six kilometres of the Inskilling Road.

In Makonde, the rains also destroyed roads in Mhangura and Makonde Constituencies, hampering the movement of people and farming inputs.

The Makonde RDC is collaborating with local legislator and Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora to rehabilitate the affected roads.

Mr Paradzayi Innocent Munyede, the chief executive officer of Makonde RDC, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his support.

“We are also grateful to our Minister, Dr Mombeshora, who availed fuel and funds for regrading some roads in the Doma area,” he said.

Although the rains have not significantly affected road conditions in Makonde yet, the council has proactively deployed teams to work on roads to prevent future issues.

Ms Felistus Muteta, acting chief executive officer of Hurungwe RDC, said, “So far we have not received any reports of damaged roads. However, we are rehabilitating the roads to ensure they remain accessible.”

RIDA has mobilised all 26 tractors for road maintenance and rehabilitation across its service centres in Mashonaland West.

Mr Erikana Chikande, RIDA’s provincial director, confirmed that the agency is actively working on repairing damaged roads, but has yet to provide specific details on the kilometres covered.