FAITH NDOU
BIKITA- Bikita Rural District Council surpassed its 2025 roadworks target after completing 265km of grading, bush clearing and spot gravelling against a target of 196km.
The achievement was revealed on Tuesday this week when the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development conducted a field verification visit to Bikita RDC to assess the utilisation of Zimbabwe National Roads Administration funds and fuel allocations for road infrastructure development.
The visit formed part of Parliament’s oversight role in promoting transparency, accountability and value for money in the use of public resources.
Bikita RDC has a district road network spanning 1,389.1 km and reported 100% utilisation of its 2025 ZINARA allocation of ZWG $4,030,657.18.
The council also received 10,400 litres of fuel against an allocation of 6,400 litres, with reported fuel utilisation standing at 162 percent.
ZINARA supported roadworks have improved access to markets, schools, clinics and other essential services while also creating employment opportunities and improving road service delivery for communities.
Speaking to The Midweek Watch, Bikita RDC chief executive officer Engineer Arnold Tapiwa Mtuke said ZINARA funding remained critical to maintaining roads that communities depend on every day.
“For us at Bikita RDC, ZINARA funds are very important because they directly support the roads that our communities depend on every day,” Mtuke said.
He said the council remained committed to ensuring that every dollar received was used responsibly and transparently for its intended purpose.
“We want our communities to see and feel the impact of these resources through improved roads, better access to schools, clinics, markets and other essential services,” he said.
Mtuke said the council’s ultimate goal was to ensure that ZINARA funding and resources from other sources translated into tangible improvements in the daily lives of residents.
Despite exceeding its roadworks target, Bikita RDC continues to face equipment challenges.
The council currently has one functional tipper truck and two TLBs while a tractor, trailer and motorised grader are under repair.
The Parliamentary committee commended Bikita RDC for exceeding its roadwork target and demonstrating prudent utilisation of public resources and encouraged the council to strengthen collaboration with the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), the Ministry of Roads and neighbouring local authorities to improve road infrastructure.
