MPs condemn Group Five over poor workmanship

SOUTH Africa-based roads engineering firm Group Five International came under intense onslaught by legislator's over melting of roads in Harare.

There roads where recently rehabilitated and expected to have a long life span.

Speaking in Parliament today, Zanu PF MP, Irine Zinde said the roads are deplorable.

"The roads constructed by Group Five are in a deplorable state. What is government doing to rectify that?"

"When they gave the contact to Group Five, why was there no supervision? As Zimbabwe we are now associated with mediocre".

Transport and Infrastructural Development deputy minister, Michael Madanha   blamed poor workmanship.

"There was lack of supervision and poor workmanship. The contactor has to carry our corrective measures at his own cost. That's what is in the contract".

Added Zindi, "We say Zimbabwe has no money but the minister says there is no supervisor. What all this?"

Group Five was contracted by government through Infralink to carry out the road rehabilitation project and the toll plaza project under the $206 million loan secured from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) by Infralink.

The project entailed the upgrading of three artery roads - Plumtree to Harare and Harare to Mutare along with new tolling points.