Story by Tafara Chikumira, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE surfacing of the road connecting Kuwirarana and Mutora Business Centre in Gokwe, hosts of this year’s Independence Day celebrations has commenced, bringing renewed optimism to the local community.
Contractors are currently laying tarmac on sections of the Kuwirarana–Mutora stretch, while rehabilitation works are also underway on parts of the Kwekwe–Gokwe road.
The improved access forms part of broader road rehabilitation efforts across Gokwe North District, much to the delight of residents and motorists who frequent these routes.
“This is a great initiative. I am impressed by the road work done thus far. We used to spend around seven hours to reach Kadoma but now it only takes us three hours. Time is of paramount importance when one is in the transport business,” a transport operator who plies the area said.
“We used to have challenges with spares as we travelled on this route. Now it is just but a thing of the past as we just cruise at ease. We thank the President for this independence celebration. I wish they could be hosted in Gokwe every year,” a motorist added.
“It is like a dream come true to see a tarred road in our community. Now we can wake up and marvel at our tar which is attracting more traffic in our area making it easy if one wants to travel,” a community member said.
Meanwhile, the gravelling of the road between Gokwe Centre and Kuwirarana, which provides the shortest route from Gokwe Centre to Mutora business centre is also moving with pace after contractors have beefed personnel and equipment to attend the route.
“We have introduced 24-hour shifts to attend to the road. We have since finished nine kilometres of gravelling this road. We have heaped around five kilometres and I am confident that by April 15, we will be done. We have one team coming from this centre side and another team from the Mavhirivhi mountain side so all is in order,” CMED’s Midlands Provincial Manager, Mr Brian Manjengwa said.
The rehabilitation of the road network in Gokwe North district is one of the many infrastructural projects being carried out in the district ahead of the national independence celebrations.
This year’s Uhuru celebrations are being held under the theme ‘Zim @45 devolve and develop together towards vision 2030.’
