For those who have been following Platform for Youth and Community Development (PYCD) advocacy on the state of the Tanganda - Ngundu highway, may understand the effectiveness of that particular campaign by the people of Chipinge. This is a positive indictment on the work of the organization. President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the Tanganda - Ngundu highway on 1 July 2019 that was rehabilitated after concerted efforts from Platform for Youth and Community Development (PYCD) to have the road rehabilitated. Road safety has been a complex issue of concern for PYCD as well as the local community, considering its magnitude and the negative impacts on the general welfare of the people.
The advocacy strategy was configured with a view to draw attention to road safety generally as well as creating political will to address the deplorable state of the highway. The highway was rehabilitated to the tune of US$20m.
Green Fuel trucks use the highway to transport sugarcane from their fields in Chipangayi to the ethanol plant stationed in Chisumbanje. Between October 2013 – December 2018, locals witnessed horrifying accidents that involved Green Fuel trucks and other road users. This resulted in locals calling for the company to take full responsibility for destroying the road as well as being liable to road accidents.
“We were told that a section of the highway had become a black spot. We ordered that the area be rehabilitated, and was rehabilitated under phase one. After the rehabilitation of that phase we continued to record accidents along this highway.” Acknowledged President Mnangagwa.
The local community-based organization adopted a visible advocacy approach by using mass media and organizing events for the community. On 8 November 2018, PYCD facilitated for a Town Hall meeting that was conducted by the Media Centre in conjunction with the Voice of America – Studio 7. The meeting was held at Checheche growth point under the topic; “Road Network in Chipinge District - Tanganda - Ngundu Highway Rehab. The approach of local council & cabinet to solve the problem.” The residents who attended the meeting bemoaned the state of the road. It was brought to the attention of the meeting that the 80km highway has forced motorists to limit their travelling speed to almost 20km/hr. The strategic use of the media played a critical role of nurturing citizenry advocacy on the state of the road.
The Chipinge Rural District Council has limited administrative and technical capacity to deal with the magnitude of the damage made to the road due to its low revenue base. At the same time, the use of heavy vehicles by Green Fuel on the highway led to it being eroded. The subsequent damage inflicted on the road by the road made it unusable for other forms of transport.
The advocacy work led to the Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Joel B Matiza touring the Tanganda - Ngundu Highway in February 2019 to assess the progress of the rehabilitation work. On the 1st of July 2019, the Minister accompanied the President for the official opening. At the official opening of the highway the Minister was quoted as saying that “the completion of this road restores the seamless flow of traffic between Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces and also key to the sustenance of the Chisumbanje ethanol project.” In the context of the Minister’s words, it is of paramount importance to compel Green Fuel’s capacity and prospects for leveraging maintenance financing of the highway. It is to be noted that slow deterioration of road quality is closely linked with a lack of maintenance. Finance in general is a scarce commodity, as such roping in Green Fuel plays a critical role in ensuring road quality is prioritized. Road maintenance should be a high priority area for the government as it is entangled with social service delivery. the effect of regular and timely maintenance is to increase the life of the road.
“We are now confident that we can rehabilitate our roads using money generated locally.” The President said at the official opening in reference to ZINARA. However, ZINARA provides a major institutional challenge relating to the lack of clear responsibility at different decentralized levels for maintenance planning, budgeting and implementation. It is therefore appropriate that Green Fuel contribute to the maintenance and operating costs.
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