By Rex Mphisa
BITUMEN WORLD, awarded the billion dollar project to upgrade the Beitbridge – Victoria Falls Road on a Build-Operate- Transfer concept significantly made moves on Wednesday showing construction is finally underway.
The construction will also include upgrading of Victoria Falls and Kazungula border posts.
The road is 755 kilometres long and is one of the country’s tourism arteries.
On Wednesday Bitumen World dispatched its consultants to Beitbridge where they met stakeholders at the point construction will rise from.
An official of the agency refused to speak to the press opting to refer to his head office in Harare.
But in a meeting held at the District Development Coordinator’s office the consultancy distributed questionnaires discussing the massive project.
Titled “Feasibility Study for the Matabeleland Corridor Toll Concession” the questionnaire stated the project will be a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
The project overview focused on the expected work.
“The Government of Zimbabwe, through above mentioned Public-Private Partnership (PPP), has engaged Bitumen World (Pvt) Ltd to rehabilitate key sections of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road (approximately 755 km) and upgrade the Victoria Falls and Kazungula Border Posts. The project includes the following works,” read the questionnaire.
It said the contract included Road Rehabilitation Works, for the entire distance and ancillary works.
“The project covers A6 (Beitbridge-Bulawayo) about 320 km, traversing districts in Matabeleland South (Beitbridge Urban & Rural, Gwanda Urban & Rural, Umzingwane) and Bulawayo.”
“AB (Bulawayo-Victoria Falls) about 435 km, covering Matabeleland North (Umguza, Bubi, Lupane, Hwange Urban & Rural, Victoria Falls) and Bulawayo,” read the questionnaire.
Itbsaid there will be no construction in urban Bulawayo with work ending at ecil and starting at Masotsha Ndlovu, roads under he Roads Department.
It will include construction of new toll gates of which five replace existent ones while weighbridges will also be built.
The new upgrade has clauses on the improvement of lay-byes suggesting the importance the road has as a tourism enabler.
It also speaks about the installation of new signage most likely referring to new international road signage in compliance with international standards.
“It is important to note that the work will be phased in relative to planned private financing, with much of the work done in Phase1 (years 1 to 3) and the remainder in Phase 2 (years 10 to 12) with maintenance being done throughout the 27 Year Concession Period,” read the document.
It also said the comprehensive ESIA is being carried out in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27), Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, and IFC Performance Standards.
The assessment identifies potential impacts, proposes mitigation measures, and ensures the project supports sustainable development.
Stakeholder consultation is a vital part of the ESIA process to promote transparency, inclusivity, and informed decision-making. Black Crystal Consulting (Pvt) Ltd. appointed by Bitumen World (Pvt) Ltd. is conducting the ESIA and facilitating stakeholder feedback, said the questionnaire inviting stakehoders respond to questions