Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
BULAWAYO -THE rehabilitation of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway has officially commenced, with five contractors engaged by the government now on the ground carrying out preliminary works along the key national route.
The contractors, have begun land clearance to create detours, are working on multiple segments of the highway, which connects Bulawayo to the world-renowned tourist destination, Victoria Falls.
The long-awaited development has been met with enthusiasm by motorists using the route, many of whom commended government efforts to improve road infrastructure in the region.
“I just want to thank our President and the government for ensuring this road is repaired,” a motorist said.
“This is an important road to Victoria Falls, a very vital part of our country. Government has made a timely and crucial intervention,” a driver said.
Under the first phase of the project covering the stretch from Bulawayo to Gwayi, each of the five contractors has been allocated 51 kilometres to rehabilitate.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo, confirmed that early-stage works, including the construction of detours, are progressing across all assigned segments.
“The work will start in Bulawayo and extend to Gwayi. We can confirm that all five contractors are currently undertaking detour construction as part of critical preliminary works,” he said.
The five firms contracted to undertake the rehabilitation are Fossil Contracting, Masimba Construction, Syvern Construction, Bitumen Resources, and Tensor Systems.
The highway’s modernisation is expected to improve road safety, promote tourism, and facilitate the movement of goods and services across Matabeleland North and beyond.
The project also aligns with the Second Republic’s commitment to infrastructure development under Vision 2030.
