Source: Zinara shells out ZiG6,2bn for road rehab – herald
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) shelled out ZiG6,278 billion – approximately US$232,5 million – between January and September this year, funding the maintenance of over 38 000 kilometres of the country’s road network in a major boost to national mobility and road safety.
Funded works covered over a third of Zimbabwe’s estimated 98 000-kilometre road network and marked one of the most significant coordinated road maintenance interventions in recent years.
According to ZINARA’s disbursement report as at September 30, 2025, the authority exceeded its revised annual budget target of ZiG6,081 billion, recording a favourable variance of about ZiG197 million.
The strong performance reflected improved revenue collection, disciplined financial management and accelerated execution of road projects.
In the third quarter alone, ZINARA disbursed ZiG2,592 billion, surpassing the revised quarterly budget of ZiG2,176 billion, signalling improved fund utilisation and faster implementation of planned works.
A significant share of the funds – ZiG3,983 billion – was channelled towards high-impact road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, achieving an 83 percent utilisation rate.
Urban councils received ZiG1,292 billion, while rural district councils were allocated ZiG1,811 billion, recording utilisation rates of 51 percent and 64 percent respectively.
The Department of Roads absorbed ZiG253,97 million, representing 53 percent of its allocation.
In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development said the scale of road maintenance achieved under the programme underscored ZINARA’s central role in sustaining Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure.
“ZINARA this year funded the maintenance of 38 112 kilometres of the road network through the disbursement of ZiG6,278 billion. This is out of the total 98 000km road network in Zimbabwe and calls for more innovative funding mechanisms to fully address national road infrastructure needs,” the ministry said.
Experts say the development is significant as reliable road infrastructure underpins economic growth, facilitates access to markets, schools and health facilities, lowers transport costs and enhances road safety.
By funding routine and periodic maintenance, ZINARA helps extend the lifespan of existing roads, preventing costly reconstruction while improving service delivery across key economic corridors.
To further capacitate road authorities, ZINARA also doubled fuel disbursements, enabling councils and the Department of Roads to carry out in-house works without delays.
The fuel disbursement programme achieved a 100 percent utilisation rate, with ZiG87,98 million deployed nationwide to support operational mobility.
“In another remarkable achievement, ZINARA disbursed 2 762 915 litres of fuel, enabling road authorities to carry out in-house works efficiently,” the ministry said.
In Bulawayo, the disbursement of 40 000 litres of fuel facilitated the resurfacing of Woodville Park Road, Herbert Chitepo Road, George Silundika Avenue and Fourth Avenue.
Additional works were completed on Old Esigodini Road and Cecil Avenue, a critical bypass for traffic heading towards Gwanda and the southern corridor.
Other major routes, including Bulawayo-Nkayi and Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, also underwent rehabilitation, improving regional connectivity, boosting tourism and trade, and creating employment opportunities.
Beyond fuel support, ZINARA funded the procurement of essential equipment such as graders, tipper trucks, rollers, excavators, water bowsers and tractor-drawn implements.
Road authorities including Mutare City Council and Gwanda Municipality have already benefited, while the Department of Roads is being supported to revive maintenance units nationwide.
The acquisition of in-house equipment has reduced reliance on external contractors, lowered costs and enabled faster project completion.
ZINARA has also strengthened road safety institutions, channelling additional funding to the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) to expand inspection fleets, procure vehicles and modernise testing facilities.
These measures are expected to enhance inspection efficiency and ensure that only roadworthy vehicles use public roads.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has likewise been capacitated to intensify nationwide road safety awareness campaigns.
Meanwhile, several road authorities recorded budget utilisation, with some achieving 100 percent absorption.
These include Gwanda Municipality, Gokwe Town Council, Kwekwe Municipality, Mutoko RDC, Tsholotsho RDC, Buhera RDC, Murehwa RDC and Sanyati RDC, setting benchmarks for effective planning and execution.
While acknowledging challenges such as slow procurement processes, shortages of qualified engineers and equipment breakdowns, ZINARA said it would intensify technical support, capacity building and contract management assistance as it moves into 2026.
ZINARA is also accelerating the rollout of electronic tolling through e-tags, a digital transformation aimed at improving efficiency, reducing congestion at toll plazas and enhancing transparency in revenue collection.
“In 2025, ZINARA advanced toll operations with the commissioning of the Norton Toll Plaza, while Dema and Juru toll plazas are at various stages of modernisation. These developments are reducing congestion, improving turnaround times and enhancing travel experiences,” the ministry said.
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