Zwane Enterprise, the company investing in the Old Gwanda Road upgrade, has brought eight companies together for the 120 km road project. President Mnangagwa will lead the groundbreaking event in two weeks.
The road project will cost about US$150 million. This includes road signs and new homes for families who must move. The project will relocate 42 homes and 24 graves to make way for the new road.
Last month, the Transport Ministry signed an agreement with Zwane Enterprise. This permits them to start building the road.
Before construction begins, Zwane Enterprise will hold special ceremonies today and tomorrow. Vice-President Kembo Mohadi will lead a traditional ceremony in Dula, Umzingwane District, today. Tomorrow, he will lead a Christian service at Matopo Mission's Brethren in Christ Church.
Engineer Bekithemba Mbambo from Zwane Enterprise said the groundbreaking ceremony will be held on March 12th. The President should attend as a guest of honor.
"We plan to start the road right after the groundbreaking. We hope to finish most of it this year. We have 18 months to complete the road," Mbambo said.
He added that rain might delay the start. Road work stops during rainy seasons, and most road building across the country pauses until after the rains end.
Mbambo explained that his company follows the Government's approach to the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway. Using several contractors helps finish the road faster. Each contractor will build about 20km of road.
"We are finishing contracts with the builders. The companies we'll work with are almost certain. Seven companies will work on the main road," Mbambo said.
Most companies will build about 20km each. Two sections have different arrangements because some companies can only do certain types of work.
Seven companies will build the highway itself. Another company will fix the smaller roads that connect to it.
Mbambo promised a high-quality concrete asphalt road. Companies only get paid after their work passes inspection.
"We want to avoid a poor-quality road that costs a lot to maintain. Bad quality would hurt our finances. We check quality at several points," Mbambo said.
The company pays contractors in stages. If the work fails quality checks, they don't get paid.
Contracts include a performance guarantee. This holds builders responsible for their work quality.
"The ministry will also appoint an independent engineer to check that standards are met," said Mbambo. "We feel confident we'll build a good road. This Old Gwanda Road project breaks new ground in Zimbabwe. It's the first time a private company upgrades a defunct road to highway status and manages it for 25 years based on payback needs."
"We'll work closely with the Transport Ministry to deliver quality work that makes stakeholders happy."
The road project should boost the local economy and help tourism grow in Matabeleland South.
The road project will cost about US$150 million. This includes road signs and new homes for families who must move. The project will relocate 42 homes and 24 graves to make way for the new road.
Last month, the Transport Ministry signed an agreement with Zwane Enterprise. This permits them to start building the road.
Before construction begins, Zwane Enterprise will hold special ceremonies today and tomorrow. Vice-President Kembo Mohadi will lead a traditional ceremony in Dula, Umzingwane District, today. Tomorrow, he will lead a Christian service at Matopo Mission's Brethren in Christ Church.
Engineer Bekithemba Mbambo from Zwane Enterprise said the groundbreaking ceremony will be held on March 12th. The President should attend as a guest of honor.
"We plan to start the road right after the groundbreaking. We hope to finish most of it this year. We have 18 months to complete the road," Mbambo said.
He added that rain might delay the start. Road work stops during rainy seasons, and most road building across the country pauses until after the rains end.
Mbambo explained that his company follows the Government's approach to the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway. Using several contractors helps finish the road faster. Each contractor will build about 20km of road.
"We are finishing contracts with the builders. The companies we'll work with are almost certain. Seven companies will work on the main road," Mbambo said.
Most companies will build about 20km each. Two sections have different arrangements because some companies can only do certain types of work.
Seven companies will build the highway itself. Another company will fix the smaller roads that connect to it.
Mbambo promised a high-quality concrete asphalt road. Companies only get paid after their work passes inspection.
"We want to avoid a poor-quality road that costs a lot to maintain. Bad quality would hurt our finances. We check quality at several points," Mbambo said.
The company pays contractors in stages. If the work fails quality checks, they don't get paid.
Contracts include a performance guarantee. This holds builders responsible for their work quality.
"The ministry will also appoint an independent engineer to check that standards are met," said Mbambo. "We feel confident we'll build a good road. This Old Gwanda Road project breaks new ground in Zimbabwe. It's the first time a private company upgrades a defunct road to highway status and manages it for 25 years based on payback needs."
"We'll work closely with the Transport Ministry to deliver quality work that makes stakeholders happy."
The road project should boost the local economy and help tourism grow in Matabeleland South.
