Bulawayo - Victoria Falls Highway rehab stalls

Works on the strategic Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway have slowed due to persistent rains that have disrupted major construction activities along the route.

Rehabilitation of the 440-kilometre corridor - a vital link between Zimbabwe's tourism capital and the rest of the country - has been affected in recent weeks by heavy downpours, forcing contractors to scale down large-scale works and focus on preparatory and palliative activities.

All eight contractors engaged by the Government on the project have since remobilised following the festive season break and are currently on site. Their activities include pothole patching and stockpiling construction materials, while closely monitoring prevailing weather conditions.

Matabeleland North Provincial Roads Engineer, Eng Xolani Ncube, said the persistent rains have significantly limited the scope of work.

"At the moment, contractors have come back to site, but most of them are doing pothole patching. With these incessant rains, the contractors will continue monitoring the situation," said Eng Ncube.

"We are waiting for conditions to improve so that full-scale operations can resume. Once it stops raining, contractors will immediately return to major construction works."

Contractors on the ground confirmed that although the weather has stalled some activities, the project has not come to a standstill.

Masimba Holdings Limited chief executive, Eng Fungai Matahwa, said his company was using the rain period productively.

"We are busy stockpiling gravel to commence construction works when the rains stop. We are also carrying out pothole patching to maintain trafficability along the highway," he said.

Fossil Contracting engineer Kudakwashe Maguta said his team was similarly concentrating on pothole patching, while closely monitoring forecasts from the Meteorological Services Department to guide planning.

Syvern Contractors managing director, Eng Silven Chisewe Musara, said sustained rainfall makes it difficult to undertake major road works, but expressed optimism that conditions would soon improve.

"When it is raining, major construction works cannot be done. We are hopeful that once the rains stop, we will accelerate and reclaim the lost ground," he said.