Shortage Of Bitumen Stalls Road Rehabilitation In Harare

The unavailability of bitumen and high price of stones has hindered the rehabilitation of roads in Harare. Harare City Council contracted several companies like Bitumen World and Tecraft to carry out road maintenance projects under the Emergency Road and Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP). The companies have written to the council advising it on the latest developments. One of the companies, Tencraft wrote to the city council

We are advising you that with effect from October 1, there has been a very significant increase in the cost of inputs due to the volatility triggered by the recent monetary policy. Major increases have been seen in imported materials like bitumen products, spare parts, oils and paints,” reads the letter.

Unfortunately, the import costs increases have resulted in increases of key supplies to surfacing works like aggregates. The increase will substantially increase the cost of the rehabilitation programme. We believe that the rates used in the addendum of September 2017 are no longer sustainable and should be adjusted to reflect the current scenario.

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