Story by Yolanda Moyo
DISBURSEMENT funds by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has significantly strengthened institutional capacity within local authorities, enabling sustained infrastructure development across the country.
Matabeleland North Province has emerged as a front-runner in the execution of developmental projects, as local authorities increasingly move towards self-reliance in road construction and maintenance.
With funding support from government and ZINARA, councils in the province are reducing dependence on costly private contractors by investing in their own engineering equipment and internal technical capacity.
ZINARA Corporate Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager, Mrs Tsungie Matiure-Manyeza, said several road authorities in the province have made notable strides in building sustainable maintenance systems.
“It is encouraging to note that some road authorities are strengthening their internal capacity for sustainable road infrastructure maintenance using their disbursement allocations,” she said.
“Through these funds, Umguza Rural District Council acquired a tractor loader backhoe, while both Binga and Hwange RDCs procured new tipper trucks. This trend has been evident across local authorities in the region and marks a commendable step towards self-reliance and sustainability.”
Mrs Matiure-Manyeza said the province demonstrated strong implementation capacity during the 2025 financial year.
“In 2025, a total of sixteen road projects were actively implemented across Matabeleland North Province. In line with government’s drive for robust infrastructure development across all provinces, ZINARA disbursed ZWG 42.1 million to the province during the 2025 financial year, representing a 91 percent utilisation of the approved budget,” she said.
“The total allocation stood at ZiG$46.5 million, reflecting strong absorption capacity among the province’s ten road authorities.”
In Victoria Falls, the impact of ZINARA funding is already evident, with the city recording notable improvements to its road network.
Victoria Falls Roads Engineer Mr Bongani Dube said ZINARA support has been instrumental in rehabilitating key urban roads.
“For 2025, ZINARA allocated funds to the city, which have been utilised for rehabilitation works. We are currently standing on Ramsey Road, an industrial road, where we have carried out chip-and-spray and full rehabilitation,” he said.
“We have also conducted road reseals in low-density areas such as Chinotimba. This assistance has greatly helped us to rehabilitate and maintain the city’s road network.”
Mr Dube added that routine maintenance works are ongoing across the city.
“Beyond periodic works, we are undertaking routine maintenance in low, medium and high-density areas. These include pothole patching, shoulder gravelling and drain cleaning. Numerous activities are underway with the support of government,” he said.
Meanwhile, strategic corridors within the province, including the Bulawayo-Nkayi and Victoria Falls-Bulawayo roads continue to record steady progress under the Department of Roads in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
