The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND has witnessed a number of tremors and cyclones that have weakened the ground and there is need to improve the quality of work and monitoring and evaluation of the infrastructure, says Transport and Infrastructural Minister, Felix Mhona.
His comments come in the wake of widespread damage of road infrastructure by tropical cyclones, storms and flash floods in recent years. The situation was made worse this year by incessant rains that have been pounding most parts of the country for the greater part of the 2020/21 rain season.
Flash floods have resulted in the washing away of bridges, with the latest being Mwarazi and Chinyudze bridges along the Headlands-Chiendambuya Road which were swept away last week.
The washing away of the Mwarazi Bridge left a yawning sink hole in which two vehicles and a motorcycle plunged into, leading to their extensive damage. Speaking during a tour of Mwarazi Bridge last Saturday, Minister Mhona, said: “Manicaland has witnessed a number of tremors and cyclones that have weakened the ground and there is need to improve the quality of work and monitoring and evaluation of the infrastructure.
“This is what I will emphasise with the contractor and the ministry should constantly monitor and evaluate all construction works. When constructing a bridge or road, the quality must be enduring, we cannot compromise an inch.”
He added: “What happened here is very strange for a structure constructed in 1986.
‘‘This bridge was not a standard bridge, and it is unfortunate. The heavy rains we have been receiving recently, along with the already saturated ground led to this damage. Yes, it was a fairly new structure, but in terms of sustainability it gave in.”
Minister Mhona said construction works of the damaged infrastructure will resume in the immediate future, with a budget having already been allocated.
He said the structure must be completed in 60 days.
Five contractors have submitted bids for the works.
Minister Mhona also urged motorists to be vigilant as several roads and bridges have been badly damaged across the country.
Headlands legislator, Cde Chris Chingosho, said the damaged infrastructure was the heartbeat of the constituency, linking its southern and northern parts, including Makoni North.
“We have two major GMB depots there, so grain and farming inputs all pass through this point. What it means is that everything is at a standstill. Nothing is moving and people on either side cannot cross the river,” said Cde Chingosho.
Headlands and Makoni North are the hubs of maize, tobacco and livestock production in Makoni, and the current state of the transport infrastructure is making life difficult for thousands of farmers.
“More disheartening is the fact that the other bridge (Chinyudze), which is along the alternative route has been washed away and is completely impassable. The road network is just bad due to the heavy rains and road users are enduring torrid moments. The roads are crying for immediate attention to make sure that they are trafficable,” said Cde Chingosho.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister, Cde Mike Madiro, said: “It is a wonderful season as far as the rains are concerned, but the downside of that is that it has devastated roads and this will have severe socio-economic impacts. In order to make sure that the bumper harvest we are expecting is mobilised and delivered to GMB centres, we need to make sure that the roads are in a good condition so that farmers can deliver their grain.”
