Government commended for road rehabilitation programmes

MARONDERA- The Government has been commended for its road rehabilitation
programmes across Mashonaland East province.
The roads are being rehabilitated through the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency
(RIDA) as part of the implementation of the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one and
no place behind when it comes to development.
Addressing members of the media during a recent tour of some of the roads, provincial RIDA
director Phoebe Maposa said they are aware that a good road network is key to the nation’s
economic and social development.
She stated that most of the roads that fall under the organisation’s jurisdiction are now
usable and beneficiaries have been impressed by the good state of the roads.
Three months ago, the Second Republic launched a maintenance blitz of roads leading to
polling stations throughout the country to allow all eligible voters easy access to polling
stations where they exercised their democratic right to vote.
RIDA was equal to the task and embarked on a nationwide road rehabilitation programme,
as well as a borehole drilling exercise in all villages.
“We have been rehabilitating all roads across the province and we did so for most of the
roads that led to polling stations during the harmonised elections that were held this year.
People had easy access to the polling stations and are now also easily accessing other
social services in areas where they would be prohibited by the previous poor state of some
roads.
“There are many roads that were damaged especially by incessant rains but we were
prepared and well-equipped, resources-wise, to rehabilitate the roads. People are happy
with the work that we have been doing as RIDA. We thank the Government for availing the
resources that we used to carry out the work. That made it easy for us execute our mandate.
We will continue to work hard in fulfilling our mandate to ensure that people’s living
conditions are uplifted,” Maposa said.
In an interview during the tour of Rwehumba-Maware road in Chikomba district, Ward leader
Aaron Dzibakwe hailed Government for carrying out the road rehabilitation exercise in the
Ward and the entire district.
“This road connects us with Dorowa in Manicaland district and I would like to thank President
Mnangagwa and the Second Republic for rehabilitating this road. As you can see, the road is
now usable. Before it was rehabilitated, it was badly damaged. We are also grateful to RIDA
for channelling resources towards the rehabilitation of this and other roads in Chikomba
district,” Dzibakwe said.

A businessman at Maware Business Centre, Rinos Takawira said RIDA should continue to
be equipped so that good works on roads and borehole drilling can continue to benefit
communities.
“We are very excited because this road is now usable. In actual fact, many roads have been
rehabilitated by RIDA and we commend their good work and that of the Government. It is our
hope that although its condition is now excellent, this major road will be tarred,” he said.
Tsitsi Manhango of Bethesda Church said as a church, they had nightmares because of the
state of that road particularly whenever they held their annual church gatherings.
“This road is now usable and just like everyone else from this area, I am happy. I grew up in
this area and this road is important to us. We always prayed for its rehabilitation. Every time
during our annual church gatherings, buses would get stuck or break down simply because
the road was in a bad state. 
“When we raised the concern with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, it did not take long
before the road was rehabilitated. It is now in an excellent condition and we are thankful for
that. This is the sort of development that we always yearned for here in Chikomba district,”
Manhango said.
In the meantime, RIDA was also commended for the provision of portable water to the
people of Pfungwe under Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe Zvataida district.
The Pfungwe area is known for acute water shortages hence the intervention by RIDA to
ensure that water challenges are solved.