Harare (New Ziana) -The City of Harare said on Monday it expects to repair 31.4 kilometres of its road network using revenue from both residents and the government.

In 2020, the local authority was able to repair only 15 kilometres of the road network with the city fathers blaming the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (Zinara) for slow disbursements.

Acting Harare mayor Stewart Mutizwa told journalists after a tour of the road network, that ZWL 1.2 billion was earmarked for the roads rehabilitation program.

“This year we are targeting to work on 10 roads (31.4 km). The total amount dedicated towards the Roads program is ZWL$1,2 billion,” he said.

Mutizwa said council would fund the roads rehabilitation with revenue from parking, billboards, the Harare quarry as well as construction approval fees.

“The following are the proposed funding mechanism: Revenue from City Parking, Endowment fees, revenue realised from Billboards, gravel sales, Harare Quarry dividend, trenching fees, Design approvals and construction approvals fees,” he said.

He commended the government for stepping in to fix roads in 2021 under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Program.

“ZINARA disbursed a total of ZWL$199 million in the 2021 financial year for road maintenance and reseal programmes. The bulk of the money was allocated to the Robert Mugabe Road where we conducted an overlay while the balance was used for porthole patching, shoulder repair and drain cleaning in various selected trunk and feeder roads,” he said.

Mutizwa admitted that Harare roads had become hazardous for motorists.

“As we have witnessed today, the potholed roads are an increasing hazard for drivers. They are especially dangerous now due to the heavy rains which we continue to receive,” he said.

New Ziana