Gweru needs $22m for roads

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Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi says the Midlands capital requires about $22 million to rehabilitate its road network.

Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi says the Midlands capital requires about $22 million to rehabilitate its road network.

By Stephen Chadenga

Presenting his report on investment opportunities in the Midlands province recently, Kombayi said the city required $2,5 million to upgrade its water infrastructure.

“Our road network has deteriorated over the years and over $22 million is required for road rehabilitation and purchase of equipment,” Kombayi said.

“A good road network is required so as to attract investors in the city.”

He said all things being equal, the city should resurface roads every five years, but was failing to do so because of the liquidity crunch obtaining in the country. A municipal report released last year by the department of engineering services showed that about 70% of the city’s roads required massive rehabilitation work.

“Road maintenance has been a major problem due to the fact that it is capital-intensive. The city is only able to maintain 35% of the surfaced network which is heavily potholed,” part of the report noted.

“Though council was trying to patch up the potholes, it lacked adequate pothole-patching equipment,” said Kombayi