The 22km stretch along the Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe Highway in Mashonaland East assigned to Masimba Holdings has seen the contractor finish the upgrade of close to 9km, and already opened to traffic.
Government is upgrading the road under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP).
In an interview, Mashonaland East provincial roads engineer Ms Martha Ndoro said road works are progressing well.
“About 8.8 km have already been surfaced on this road. Also 4,5 km of earthworks are in progress as we speak,” said Eng Ndoro.
“The contractor is on the site, working on the road.”
The Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe road links Hwedza district with Marondera and Harare and is key for economic activities across Mashonaland East.
It is this road which most farmers use to transport their produce to local markets in Mashonaland East as well as to Chitungwiza and Harare.
Masimba Holdings is upgrading the road from Feles Business Centre near Hwedza Growth Point, going towards Mushandirapamwe Business Centre.
Recently, Chief Svosve of Hwedza commended the Government for upgrading the road, which he said is key to economic activities in and outside Hwedza District.
“We are happy with the Second Republic and President Mnangagwa for fulfilling his promises. This road is key to economic development of the entire nation. Hwedza will grow, even areas like Mahusekwa and many others, will develop.
“I am thankful to our Government for this kind of development, which is happening regardless of sanctions imposed on our nation. We have youths in this area who are employed because of this road. They are no longer spending time abusing substances and drugs, so we are happy that the Second Republic is also creating employment for our children,” he said.
A motorist, Mr Silvercia Mwinjilo commended the Second Republic for upgrading the road. “I am happy that Government is upgrading Hwedza road. This is commendable and it will be easy to drive in this road once it is complete. I want to thank those who are doing this great work for us.”
A Hwedza resident Mr Munashe Chinyonga said the refurbishment would benefit many people. “I am happy that this road is being upgraded. As a youth, I am happy with this kind of infrastructure development and I commend the Second Republic for this.”
Ms Talent Gotora, an entrepreneur at Feles Business Centre, said transport costs to and from major towns will be reduced on completion of the road.
“This upgrade is good and beneficial to us. Transporters are charging us a lot of money because of the sorry state of this road. However, all that will be history soon because a lot of buses will use this route once the upgrading is complete.
“I thank the Government for these developments in our district. We hope road works will be completed soon so that we can enjoy,” said Ms Gotora. – The Herald
