China takes over Chimanimani roads rehab

THE Chinese government has offered to rehabilitate all roads washed away by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani at its own cost and has already contracted six private Asian companies to carry out the project.

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday said the companies will use their own financial resources for the works and will only get reimbursed after completion of roadworks.

"Government is particularly grateful to the People's Republic of China, which tasked six Chinese companies operating locally to undertake the repair of roads, drill boreholes, rehabilitate power infrastructure, provide mobile hospitals and build houses and communication in cyclone affected areas," Mutsvangwa told a post-Cabinet Press conference in Harare.

"The companies will utilise their own financial resources and be reimbursed by the Chinese government."

Local Government minister July Moyo updated Cabinet on the recovery programme in the Cyclone Idai-hit areas, saying schools were being rebuilt, while displaced people were getting alternative accommodation.

"(Some) 1 654 internally-displaced people are sheltered and receiving relief assistance at seven holding centres in Chimanimani and Chipinge. A total of 46 602 people comprising special groups have so far been given relief assistance," Mutsvangwa said.

Work is also being undertaken to ensure that schools ravaged by the cyclone are opened with local companies adopting a total of 42 schools for reconstruction.

Cyclone Idai-induced floods hit Zimbabwe and killed nearly 400 people, leaving a trail of destruction in the eastern parts of the country, particularly Chimanimani and Chipinge.