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Oliver Kazunga, Senior Reporter
THE Government has released $20 million for the rehabilitation of roads that were damaged by heavy rains that pounded most parts of the country.

Responding to questions in Parliament last week, Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Engineer Michael Madanha said a committee has been formed to mobilise funds to rehabilitate the damaged roads, which have since been declared a state of national disaster.

“There is a committee that was formed to mobilise funds to address the poor road network. As of now, I want to enlighten this House that we now have $20 million that is being used to address the damage by the floods on the road network.

“We have also requested other parties such as the Zimbabwe National Army to assist us especially in the construction of bridges,” he said.

Eng Madanha said the rehabilitation of the country’s road network was being done in three phases.

He said the first phase entailed emergency works involving filling potholes to ensure the public’s safety on the roads while the second phase involves reconstructing damaged bridges.

Resurfacing of the roads is the third phase.

Eng Madanha said about $100 million was required for emergency road repairs.

“This money is to be availed to all road authorities, Department of Roads, Urban Councils, District Development Fund and Rural District Councils.

“The Department of Roads has compiled the requirements for the damages on the major road networks and the estimated cost for repairs is $18,2 million nationally,” he said, adding that the cost does not include upgrading structures that are low lying and prone to flooding.

—@okazunga