Road rehab in Gwanda lies in jeopardy

Road rehabilitation work in Gwanda lies in jeopardy after some contractors dumped the project over non-payment for services.

The late disbursement of Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) funds to local authorities is negatively affecting the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads amid revelations by Gwanda Municipality that some contractors have since discontinued work.

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing met representatives of Gwanda Rural District Council and Municipality to probe on how these funds were used.

Gwanda Municipality Engineer Phakamile Ndebele said due to their failure to pay contractors timeously some roads remain uncompleted, while the chamber secretary Mr Hlupho Mhlanga complained that the delays in payment by ZINARA is affecting their relationships with contractors.

"While residents are happy about the rehabilitation of roads, completion of these projects is taking long as contractors have been awaiting payment for the past two months," said Ndebele.

Mr Mhlanga said; "As a local authority we now fear that we might be sued for breach of contract".

The council is also weighed by a fleet old tractors that are constantly breaking down.

"Council has two tractors and these are very old and the breakdown frequency is very high," added Ndebele.

Completing the Enyandeni Gravelling Programme has been a challenge due to late payment of IPC's by ZINARA.

The committee said it will come up with recommendations aimed at addressing the challenges local authorities are facing to improve the country's roads.