Addressing
masses
at
the
46th
Independence
Day
celebrations
in
Maphisa,
Matabeleland
South
Province,
Mnangagwa
said
the
second
republic
is
prioritising
the
restoration
and
upgrading
of
the
country’s
road
network
following
damage
caused
by
floods.
This
year
the
celebrations
were
held
under
the
theme
“Zimbabwe
at
46,
Unity
and
Development,
towards
Vision
2030.”
“Roads
are
an
economy.
As
such,
road
construction,
routine
rehabilitation
and
maintenance
have
been
rolled
out,
following
the
aftermath
of
flooding
and
associated
destruction
of
our
road
network,”
he
said.
Mnangagwa
said
major
highway
projects
are
being
expedited,
including
the
completion
of
the
Beitbridge–Masvingo–Harare
highway,
as
well
as
the
upgrading
of
the
Beitbridge–Bulawayo
and
Bulawayo–Victoria
Falls
roads.
“The
construction
of
the
Harare–Chirundu
Road
and
traffic
interchanges
will
also
be
accelerated
to
ease
congestion
and
improve
connectivity
across
the
country,”
he
said.
He
noted
that
a
specialised
unit
will
be
set
up
to
specifically
attend
to
bridges
which
are
now
in
a
dire
state.
On
rural
electrification,
Mnangagwa
said
government
is
scaling
up
investment
to
expand
access
to
power
in
underserved
communities,
describing
energy
provision
as
critical
to
rural
industrialisation
and
improved
livelihoods.
“The
Rural
Electrification
Programme
is
receiving
additional
Treasury
financing.
The
initiative
is
being
implemented
alongside
dam
construction
and
borehole
drilling
programmes
to
support
rural
development,”
he
said.
“The
combined
infrastructure
drive
is
expected
to
unlock
economic
opportunities,
particularly
in
rural
areas,
by
improving
access
to
markets,
supporting
small-scale
industries
and
enhancing
service
delivery.”