Govt pleased with Beitbridge border works

Victor Maphosa in Beitbridge
THE upgrading of Beitbridge Border Post has moved a gear up with the freight terminal expected to be completed by September while the whole project is set to be done by November next year.

Civil works went a gear up early this year after the Zimborders Consortium secured nearly US$300 million for the project. The consortium is made up of a group of Zimbabweans, South Africans, international entrepreneurs, financial institutions and experts.

Speaking after touring the border post yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the project was of major importance to the country and the region. Minister Mhona was accompanied by his Deputy Mike Madiro and senior officials from the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara).

“We have been briefed that by September this year, they will actually open for the freight terminal and next year in November, they will be done with the whole project. I am happy with the progress, you know because of Covid-19 pandemic, progress has been slow but now there is serious work going on. I was also worried about the time frame but they have assured us that they will be on time,” he said.

Minister Mhona said such a massive project was a clear testimony that the Government was committed to improving infrastructure in the country.

“I want to thank President Mnangagwa for this massive project. This gives confidence that he is not just talking but is actually doing the work as he has promised, to say we need to make sure the people of Zimbabwe are always in a stable environment and they enjoy their facilities.

“If we move with this kind of development, I am sure we will be the envy of the region,” Minister Mhona said.

It is envisaged that the volume of human and cargo will increase five times when the project is completed.

An average of 200 000 travellers, 30 000 buses, 100 000 light vehicles, 40 000 commercial trucks use the border post monthly in good times.

President Mnangagwa laid the foundation for the project to take off in July 2018 and said the initiative was in line with enhancing the ease of doing business.