Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE Gokwe -Masoro- Empress-Copper Queen Road rehabilitation programme is progressing well with contractors confident the project will be complete in two weeks’ time before the rain season.
Issues of road connectivity between Gokwe South and North district are set to be a thing of the past, as the government is rehabilitating an alternative road connecting the two districts.
The 80 kilometre stretch connecting Gokwe Masoro to Empress Copper Queen has received government attention under phase two of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme.
“This is a road that connects Ngobano, Masoro to the road from Empress to Mashamba and Copper Queen. This road is an alternative from Gokwe South to Gokwe North after the Samame road was severely damaged.
“The scope of work, the total length is 80 kilometers, which includes re-graveling this road, and washed away structures, and we are expecting to complete the whole project in two weeks time,” said Engineer Steven Kamutema who works with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.
The Gokwe Mapfungautsi residents and leadership are excited about the road construction progress in the area.
“We are grateful to our President for this road rehabilitation programme. This area had a bad road network in the past. We used to spend two to three hours traveling to Gokwe North.
“But now we can spend only spend 30 minutes. So we have cut off travel time. I also believe with this new development, business is going to improve, and prices of goods in the community are likely to be reviewed downwards. Transport operators are welcome, especially bus companies, because commuter omnibuses have been taking advantage of this situation and charged exorbitant prices for fares,” Honourable Tawanda Karikoga, Gokwe Mapfungautsi Legislator said.
The government is confident the completion of the road rehabilitation programme will improve the social lifestylee of the local people.
“Our motorists and other road users who had resorted to using Kadoma-Sanyati road, can now resort back to this road, which saves time and cuts costs.
“We thank the contractor as well who rehabilitated this road and, even if it rains, the road is going to stay intact. Lastly, I want to thank the President who made sure that this road gets fixed,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube noted.
The Government is prioritising people centred projects across the country in order to transform their way of living in line with the inclusive development approach.
