By Lloyd Takawira
Government has come under heavy criticism from Passenger Association of Zimbabwean (PAZ) for its ineffective approach towards the poor state of roads in the country.
The criticism comes after government had announced that it had declared all roads as a state of emergency following the continuous dilapidation of the country’s roads that has been worsened by the rains.
Speaking at the first 2021 post-Cabinet media briefing last Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced that cabinet had resolved that all roads in the country be declared a State of Disaster in order the facilitate the release funds for maintenance and repair works
However, in an interview with Bustop TV, PAZ National Coordinator, Tafadzwa Goliati accused government of seeking to score cheap political gains by declaring state of disasters for roads which have never been taken serious.
“We as passengers are worried by the state of our roads in the country which are so bad , especially urban roads. It’s been years since roads have not been repaired considering the number of cars that are now plying most urban roads.”
Goliati went on to question the funds disbursement scheme by ZINARA which he argues is at the root of road construction problems.
“There is this animal called ZINARA. Our view as passengers is that, the creature is a vehicle for looting public funds.”
However ZINARA communication manager, Tendai Mugabe exonerated the parastatal.
“Our role is to fix road user fees and then collect those road user fees. After collection, we then disburse the funds to road authorities that are four, namely the Department of Roads in the Ministry of Transport and Communication, the District Development Fund, and urban and rural councils,” he said.
Asked by this reporter whether they as passengers are aware of the government decision to declare all roads a “state of disaster” Goliati said:
“This is not the first time that a state of disaster over roads has been declared. In 2017 a similar state of disaster was declared. Time for cheap politics over important national disasters should end. We as passengers are saying talk shows over roads should end.”
Zimbabwean roads have been in bad shape for years, with corruption scandals rocking parastatals involved. With the heavy rains the situation has worsened.
