President Mnangagwa commissions Makuti-Chirundu upgrade first phase

Brian Rungano Temba

President Emmerson has opened the recently widened and upgraded Nothern (Marongora – Hell`sgate) section of the North South Corridor along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.

The place, located about 313 kilometres between the Harare-Chirundu road was given such an usual name, emanating from the number of deaths which were happening as a result of the sharp bends and the poor engineering which was done there.

The Project was officially launched by President Mnangagwa in August 2019 and was scheduled to be completed by 2020 but was completed this in 2021 due to disturbances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the commissioning event, President Mnangagwa said the rehabilitation of this dangerous area was long overdue.

“The Marongora-Hellsgate section had become risky and prone to road traffic accidents, resulting in unnecessary loss of lives. The rehabilitation, widening, construction of climbing lanes, and smoothening of sharp curves on this section, therefore improves safety for the motoring public.
It also eases congestion and prevents delays,” said President Mnangagwa.

The road widening and upgrade project is funded under a grant from the Japanese government that Zimbabwe sources through the Engagement and Re-engagent policy.

The 6.5km stretch of road was was widened and upgraded by the contractor Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe, Mr. Satoshi Tanaka said the government of Japan has agreed to grant more money to extend the road upgrade by another 6.5km.

The total cost of the project was US$ 21million inclusive of consultancy and construction work.
The contractor began work on June 1, 2019 and completed on March 31, 2021.

The road is a busy artery for transport that uses the North South Corridor which links Zimbabwe and South Aftica with COMESA and Easter African countries.

The Mana pools turnoff area which was nicknamed Hell`sgate or Wafa-wafa because it was riddled with steep slopes and Sharp tight bends which cause a lot of fatal car crashes.