The road rehabilitation program that kick-started a few months ago has been welcomed as a positive socio-economic development that will benefit the district on a long-term basis by Bulilima youths.
Speaking in an interview with CYDT, Mbekezeli Ndlovu said, “Good roads are crucial public assets that can contribute immensely towards socio-economic development, hence the need to properly manage roads. Without good roads, the journey towards economic recovery is retarded. I believe not much is done to ensure that roads are up to standard. Therefore, while the road rehabilitation program is a welcome development, there is still need to speed up the program as poor road networks are already costing the district millions of dollars.”
Ndlovu went on to say that, due to poor road networks, it was difficult to access goods and some essential services. He said, “Transport costs were being increased by taxi drivers who are of the view that they need money to service their taxis”.
Another youth, Sibonginkosi Dube also praised the efforts made to rehabilitate road networks in Bulilima. She said; “It is obviously something good as it will reduce road accidents. Not only do poor road networks cost the province financially, they also pose a threat to human life. Every year in Matabeleland South, the number of people who die in road accidents reaches double figures,” said Dube.
While this road rehabilitation programme is a welcome development, young people and Bulilima residents have alleged that the prioritized area so far has been the road that reaches the suburb in which the council chair recently built his house. They challenged authorities to be fair and focus on all roads that are in urgent need of being rehabilitated such as the roads in ward 3 and ward 2.
Youths also urged duty bearers to hire experienced road and transport experts that will come up with the best plans of developing long lasting road networks. “It is imperative that road authorities prioritise road maintenance initiatives. A team of highly qualified road professionals must be put on the ground to ensure that the road rehabilitation programme runs smoothly,” Bonisani Dube said.
“Roads stimulate economic recovery and are key in saving lives during a health emergency situation. With the province having limited hospitals, goods roads ensure that patients arrive fast and safe,” added Tsitsi Ncube.
The government this year launched an emergency road repair initiative to curb the rising cases of road accidents across the country. This came after youths raised concern on the number of people that had lost their lives in road accidents owing to bad roads. The government introduced what is called Emergency Road Rehabilitation Program to ensure that all roads are repaired.
Ends//
Recent Comments