The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) needs at least US$700 million to rehabilitate the city`s road network.
This was said by the city mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni while delivering his New Year`s address in Council Chambers on Wednesday.
Cllr Mguni said about 70 percent of the city`s 2389-kilometre road network was in a deplorable state.
“Lack of funding has affected the current state of the road network and approximately US$700 million is required to bring the network to good condition. Currently, funding levels are way below this figure,” said the Mayor.
Cllr Mguni said despite limited funding, equipment breakdown the local authority made some progress in rehabilitating the city`s roads.
“In 2019, 2.3 km of roads were constructed covering Murchison road. A total of 5.5km of completed sections is awaiting surfacing. Resealing was affected by budgetary constraints while 8.4 km of overlays were done on Fort St, Robert Mugabe way, Matopos road, Jason Moyo street, Samuel Parirenyatwa street and 8th avenue.
“5.4 km of regravelling was done in 6 wards 10, 11, 12, 17, 27 and 29. The city in partnership with the community conducted 16.3 km of drain cleaning, 20.3 km of median cleaning and 5 032 square meters of pothole patching while 26 km of road marking was outsourced to private contractors,” he said.
The Mayor added that the city will also use the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA) funds to repair the road infrastructure.
