By Sharon Tawuya
Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe National Road Aadministration has fully repaid the US$206 million Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) loan, which funded the rehabilitation of the Plumtree-Bulawayo-Harare-Mutare highway, with the final instalment of US$1.3 million paid on September 30 this year, ending a 15-year obligation, a senior official has said.
The permanent secretary for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, said this in an interview with the media after the Ministry and Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) officials presented evidence on tolling before the Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Public Accounts and Transport and Infrastructural Development.
Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Caston Matewu, commended the clearance of the DBSA debt, saying it was a major milestone for the roads sector.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Committee chairperson, Tawanda Karikoga, also commended ZINARA and the Ministry for clearing the debt.
Eng Makumbe said funds previously tied up servicing the loan are now free and will be channelled to other road projects or used to secure further loans from other financiers, a senior government official said Monday.
She said the clearance improves the country’s standing with lenders and frees fiscal space at a time when demand for road rehabilitation remains.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, told Members of Parliament during the recent 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar in Bulawayo that THE Government would next year prioritise completion of high-impact projects, including the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway and the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
The 440-kilometre road is expected to be fully trafficable by July or August next year, with 73.4km already rehabilitated and opened to traffic, and contractors targeting a combined 160 km by the end of this year.
Eng Makumbe said the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is currently under a US$400 million CBZ facility, which the Ministry of Finance secured and is disbursing in tranches for the construction or reconstruction of strategic roads.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is one of the beneficiaries, together with the completion of the Beitbridge Road.
Contractors remobilised about three weeks ago and are now on site following payment of outstanding Interim Payment Certificates, and work is currently underway.
She said rains, while welcome, will slow progress on road projects.
New Ziana
