The road is the busiest highway in the country and a critical economic resource as it facilitates high volumes of trade. It has been the scene of many fatal accidents and, since independence, has not received the attention it requires.
The company told the Transport and Communication Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chaired by Gift Dzirutwe, that it had followed all the correct procedures but had received no response from the Ministry of Transport to its numerous communications.
The Managing Director, Darlington Masenda, said the company had already invested around $10 million in preparation and appealed to Parliament to intervene. The consortium is made up of Murray & Roberts, Costain Africa, Kuchi Building Construction, Tarcon, Bitcon, Joina Development Company, Southland Engineers and Ben Musarurwa, a bridge engineer.
“We have been involved in doing this project for 12 years now and when we see the carnage on that road, it hurts us,” said Masenda.
Minister Nicholas Goche told Parliament in July last year that Zim Highways had failed to prove that they had the financial muscle to carry out the project, and alleged fraudulent dealings by some of the companies that form the consortium.
He accused Zim Highways of courting financial institutions in South Africa in a bid to sell the project and said he would not sign the deal.
Post published in: News