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Sifundiso Ndlovu Chronicle Reporter
ABOUT $16 million is required to repair roads that were washed away during the last rainy season countrywide. Briefing officials during a recent inspection of roads in Bulawayo, Tsholotsho and Lupane, Traffic Consultative Committee (TCC) chairman Bishop Morris Gwedegwe said a majority of roads were damaged by the rains and needed urgent repair.

A report availed during the tour states that $16,3 million is required to rehabilitate the damaged roads, both gravelled and tarred.

The report shows that Matabeleland North requires $117,000 while Matabeleland South needs $533,000. The Midlands requires $358,000 while Masvingo needs $11,000. Mashonaland Central has the highest requirement of $12 million.

The rains left about 10 bridges damaged countrywide with two set for complete overhaul. Most roads require construction of culverts and filling in of shoulders. Gwedegwe said the money allocated for roads by government was not enough and urged communities to chip in and assist in the maintenance of the roads.

“We’re inspecting roads to check damaged areas that were identified by the police. Thereafter we would mobilise communities and repair all damaged areas,” said Gwedegwe.

Matabeleland North traffic co-coordinator Superintendent Misheck Ngorima said poor road network caused many accidents.

“Averagely 77 traffic accidents are recorded monthly in Matabeleland North alone and most of these accidents are caused by bad roads,” said Supt Ngorima.

The TCC, which is made up of Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe officials, the police, Zinara and transporters and passengers’ associations, compiled their own list of critical road portions in need of immediate filling in of shoulders, erection of visible signage, clearing of trees and filling in of potholes.Gwedegwe said these areas can be repaired by the communities.

“We resolved that things like filling in of potholes, clearing of the road, erection of legible signage could be done. Fuel donation meeting has been set for July 18 in Tsholotsho,” he said.