Story by Farirai Mutumburanzou
Asphalt Products has now commenced a repair project for the 1.5-kilometer stretch of Harare Drive to ensure that the road meets the required standards and specifications, following the government’s disapproval of the initial work.
Taking a stand against substandard construction, Minister Felix Tapiwa Mhona voiced his displeasure with the quality of work on Harare Drive and insisted that the contractors rectify the subpar project without any additional remuneration, emphasizing that shoddy workmanship will not be tolerated.
“The contractors who undertook the project on a section of Harare Drive did a terrible job, leaving us with an unacceptable road surface.
“I will reiterate that the 2nd Republic does not condone inferior work, and we certainly won’t be paying for this shoddy job,” said Hon Mhona.
Asphalt Products have responded and they have so far covered 1km of the works from Sam Mujoma and Alphes Road and they are expected to finish on Monday next week.
Hon Mhona has ordered Fossil Contractors to also redo Lorraine Drive which was poorly constructed.
This comes after the Government of Zimbabwe said they will not pay contractors on half baked projects and will only release funds when they are satisfied.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is confident that most of the major roads around the city has been brought up to standard while others will be completed soon.
The Boulevard Road is now complete covering 5,7km of road surface and four lanes of traffic.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development advises the motoring public that Sam Mujoma Extension (formerly Golden Stairs Road) will be closed from Nemakonde Way to Harare Drive effective 7 June 2024 until 30 June 2024.
The closure is meant to facilitate the construction of a dual carriageway by Exodus and Company and Ncube Burrow, the contractors for the Harare – Mvurwi-Guruve-Kanyemba Road project.