Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Hon. J.K. Sacco has toured roads in Mashonaland Central Province and the Mukumbura Border Post to assess their condition, ahead of the resumption of road works and planned upgrades to the border facility.

Inspecting the Roads

The tour was held to give the Deputy Minister a firsthand appreciation of the state of the province’s road network. It came ahead of the resumption of works on the Ruya-Mukumbura and St Albert’s road, a key corridor linking the province’s farming and mining communities with the border and the wider region.

Roads in the area carry agricultural produce, commuter traffic and cross-border freight, so their condition directly affects the cost of doing business and the daily lives of residents. Seeing the roads on the ground allows decision-makers to confirm priorities and the scope of work before contractors return to site.

Plans for Mukumbura Border Post

The Deputy Minister also visited the Mukumbura Border Post, where plans are under way to upgrade the infrastructure. Mukumbura is Zimbabwe’s gateway to Mozambique in the north-east, and an efficient crossing point can ease the movement of goods and people, reduce delays and support trade.

Upgrading border infrastructure is widely seen as a way to improve processing times and strengthen revenue collection, benefits that extend well beyond the immediate area.

Economic Impact

Hon. Sacco said that rehabilitating the road and upgrading the border post would have a positive impact on the country’s economic development, particularly through increased revenue. Better roads reduce vehicle operating costs and travel times, while a modern border post can handle higher volumes of traffic and trade more efficiently.

He said the projects demonstrate the Government’s commitment to improving the country’s infrastructure, a priority that has been emphasised across the transport sector as the country works to open up economic opportunities in all provinces.

Local Leadership Involved

The Deputy Minister was accompanied by Hon. Munemo, Member of Parliament for Mt Darwin North, and several Government officials. The presence of local representatives underlines the importance communities place on the projects, as improved roads and border facilities promise easier access to markets, services and employment.

Looking Ahead

With the tour complete, attention now turns to the resumption of works on the Ruya-Mukumbura, St Albert’s road and the start of the border post upgrade. Further details on timelines, funding and contractors were not announced during the visit.

For residents and businesses in Mashonaland Central, the hope is that the renewed focus will translate into smoother journeys, faster border crossings and new opportunities for growth.