We are constructing roads for the country – Min Mhona

By Vimbai Kamoyo

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona has refuted claims that the current resurfacing of Harare roads was due to the coming SADC Summit.

There were complaints among Harare residents that the government was prioritizing roads that were in the city center just to impress delegates who are coming in August for the SADC Summit.

Speaking to the media, Minister Mhona said the aim was constructing infrastructure for the country and had nothing to do with the SADC Summit.

“We are constructing roads because it is the mandate of the government to do so. Some people say we are constructing the Julius Nyerere way because of the SADC meeting. This is not true because this is the beginning of the construction of the Harare -Chirundu road. All roads are measured starting from Harare’s main post office which we have done and it is along Nyerere way.

“Soon you will see us constructing a road to Mbudzi roundabout that will link with the Harare – Beitbridge road. All the roads in the country are under the ministry including those in Harare. We delegate roads to the local authorities like Harare City Council. However, for the last twenty years nothing has been happening in terms of road maintenance in Harare and other urban areas and so President Mnangagwa said we should take over, as we could not continue to watch the rot.

“We intend to do the same with rural areas as there has been massive neglect of the roads there,” he said.

Since he came to power in 2017 through a military coup that toppled long-time ruler, Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa has been on a mission to rehabilitate the country’s infrastructure including irrigation systems and roads.