THE Second Republic’s drive to improve the national road network is recording huge progress, with Buhera residents praising the ongoing tarring of the Murambinda-Birchenough Road.
Following the commissioning of the Sabi Star Lithium Mine, President Emmerson Mnangagwa assured the people of Buhera that the Murambinda-Birchenough Road would be rehabilitated as part of the broader effort to upgrade the country’s road network.
True to his word, road construction and tarring works from the Birchenough side have reached five kilometres, with villagers appreciative of the landmark development in their area.
“We were facing transport challenges and it was expensive to go to Birchenough Bridge before the surfacing of this road. We therefore appeal to road authorities for road surfacing works to continue,” a resident stated.
Work is also underway from the Murambinda side as the surfacing is being conducted from both sides of the 120-kilometre road stretch.
“Many people in Murambinda were employed following the commencement of this project. We thank the government for rehabilitating our road and we are looking forward for this section to be completed before August,” a Buhera resident said.
Manicaland Provincial Construction Engineer Patrick Muropa spoke on the progress recorded so far.
“The Murambinda–Mudanda road construction is progressing well, with five kilometres (km) of subgrade and 3.5 km of Base 2 completed.
Hauling of base material and crusher run is currently in progress. Contractor JRG Goddard is on schedule and the project is expected to improve accessibility and boost local economic activity.
“In the same vein from Birchenough Bridge side, we have managed to complete five kilometres upgrading from gravel road to surfacing, so far site clearing is in progress as it awaits commissioning.”
Apart from Birchenough-Murambinda Road, tar surfacing works are also underway in Chipinge, Chimanimani and Nyanga.
