By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare, – The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) has announced the successful completion of an impressive 33,773 kilometers of roadworks through 568 projects across the nation, underscoring its unwavering commitment to enhancing Zimbabwe’s infrastructure. With further funding expected in the fourth quarter of the year, ZINARA is optimistic about accelerating ongoing projects, aiming for a strong conclusion to 2024.
ZINARA’s recent disbursement update reveals that the overall uptake of allocated funds by road authorities has reached a remarkable 91% against the annual budget. Approximately 80% of provinces have successfully accessed over half of their budget allocations, with expectations that ongoing projects will boost this figure even further by year-end.
Harare Metropolitan Province has emerged as the front runner in fund utilization, achieving an impressive 88%. This success is largely attributed to the Harare City Council, which has utilized a remarkable 98% of its allocated budget. The substantial progress follows extensive road improvement works carried out before and after the recent Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, significantly enhancing the condition of the capital’s road network.
Mashonaland East has also distinguished itself by utilizing 73% of its allocated ZWG 26.97 million. Notably, the Marondera Municipality has recorded a remarkable 98% uptake, with both Marondera Rural and Chikomba Rural District Councils reporting 89% utilization rates as well.
Bulawayo Province is making notable strides as well, with a utilization rate of 71%, demonstrating numerous completed and ongoing projects across the region.
Despite the overall positive uptake, some road authorities are facing challenges, reporting budget utilization rates below 20%. In response to these discrepancies, ZINARA’s technical department is actively working alongside these authorities to identify the barriers affecting their funding utilization and provide necessary support.
With a strong commitment to improving service delivery and infrastructure quality, ZINARA is well-positioned to continue its pivotal role in the development of the country’s road network as it heads toward the end of the year. The agency calls for continued collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure the effective discharge of its mandate and to further national development through improved road infrastructure.