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Africa Moyo Deputy News Editor
A NUMBER of projects under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development such as road construction, airport expansion and border modernisation, are beginning to take shape, as Government presses ahead with tangible developments that also position the country as a continental transportation hub.
The move also coincides with the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a trade pact which is expected to create a single market on the continent.
Zimbabwe signed the agreement establishing the AfCFTA on March 21 last year in Kigali, Rwanda, during the African Union Extraordinary Summit which adopted it.
Harare became the 23rd member state to deposit the Instrument of Ratification with the Depository (Chair of the African Union Commission) on May 24 this year.
Being a member of AfCFTA, and a general desire by President Mnangagwa’s desire to uplift the lives of citizens as contained in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), has jolted the country to modernise its production equipment and transportation infrastructure so that Zimbabwe benefits from probably the biggest free trade area since the World Trade Organisation in 2001.
President Mnangagwa this week said AfCFTA is “a step forward”, which could promote inclusive growth and enable African countries to jointly work towards achieving a prosperous future.
On Tuesday, Transport Minister Joel Biggie Matiza told Cabinet that considerable progress regards modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post, the Ponta Techobanine Heavy Haul Rail and Deep Sea Port project and the Kazungula Bridge and the One-Stop Border Post project, has been recorded.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists after this week’s Cabinet meeting that several milestones have been achieved in the consummation of the key projects.
“Cabinet received progress updates from the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development on the implementation of the following projects: (a) Beitbridge Border Modernisation Project.
“The project involves, among other things, the upgrading of the border post through the construction of new terminal buildings, commercial facilities, construction of a fire station, upgrading of water and sewer reticulation systems and construction of staff housing for border agencies.
“The Zim-Borders, the contractor for the project, has already started construction of the maintenance building and civil works,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Ponta Techobanine Heavy Haul Rail and Deep Sea Port Project involves the development of a new inter-regional heavy haul railway system linking the coal fields of Zimbabwe and Botswana, with contractual access to a modern deep water sea port in Mozambique.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the project was mooted upon realisation that the existing railway line may not adequately accommodate the transportation of Zimbabwe and Botswana’s coal exports and fuel imports to and from the sea ports in Mozambique.
“The project is to be sponsored by the Governments of the two countries, while private sector participation will be encouraged. A feasibility study on the project is scheduled to start before the end of this year,” she said.
The Kazungula Bridge and the One-Stop-Border Post Project came into being after Zimbabwe became part of the Kazungula Bridge and One-Stop-Border Post Project at the Kasane Summit in 2018.
Minister Mutsvangwa said with respect to Zimbabwe, the project entails construction of a new Tri-National One-Stop-Border Post with an entry terminal and a road diversion access, in order to facilitate entry and exits for traffic from Botswana and Zambia.
Online Reporter