ZIMBABWE GOVT. WARNED CONTRACTORS SUBSTANDARD ROAD PROJECTS

The government has issued a stern warning to road contractors amid growing concerns over substandard road construction works, threatening to blacklist those responsible.

Recent complaints have surfaced regarding poor workmanship by some contractors, resulting in roads developing cracks and potholes shortly after completion, notably Lorraine Drive in Harare.

One of the key issues highlighted is the prolonged duration taken by contractors to finish projects.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona addressed Parliament, acknowledging the concerns raised about subpar road construction. He emphasized that contractors must be held accountable for their work, especially when it fails to meet standards.

In response to the situation on Lorraine Drive, Minister Mhona stated that the contractors admitted to performing poorly and assured that corrective measures would be taken. He stressed that the government does not pay for work that does not meet specifications.

Mhona also underscored the government’s commitment to closely monitoring all road construction projects nationwide.

The Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), initiated in 2021 after President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the state of the country’s roads a national disaster, aims to rehabilitate 10,000km of roads countrywide, with a focus on urban and trunk roads.

SOURCE: Newsday