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Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Dry Port in Walvis Bay, Namibia, marked its fifth anniversary since its commissioning by His Excellency the President, Dr Mnangagwa in 2019 as part of Government’s efforts to expand international markets.
The celebrations were held in Walvis Bay.
Construction of the Zimbabwe Dry Port in Walvis Bay began in 2015.
The dry port is part of the Zimbabwe Government’s drive to stimulate economic growth through expanding the country’s international markets.
Since its commissioning five years ago, the Zimbabwe Dry Port has recorded success stories.
Speaking at the fifth anniversary commemorations, Zimbabwe Dry Port general manager, Mr Theodore Kundai Chinyanga, highlighted some of the gains made by the facility since its commissioning.
“The Zimbabwe dry port’s fifth anniversary is an opportunity to look back and summarise the company’s achievements so far for both Namibia and Zimbabwe and the region at large. “The dry port is a strategic facet in the facilitation of trade in the economic development of Southern Africa.
“The anniversary is a moment for deeper reflection on the company’s development, analysing both successes and failures, and drawing valuable conclusions for the future,” he said.
Mr Chinyanga said one of the major highlights for the Dry port in the last five years has been to adhere to international standards of financial reporting which has opened up business for the dry port.
“We have managed to stay afloat in business even though we were shaken by Covid-19 which we eventually pulled through, and now we are going strong.
“It is also prudent to say that we are now compliant in all business aspects. We have also managed to convert the NHScc into an NHS Proprietary Limited company to do consolidation of the subsidiary to the parent company which is headquartered in Harare according to the International Financial and Reporting Standards (IFRS),” Mr Chinyanga said.
He said stakeholders had made periodic visits to ensure the dry port was operating at full throttle.
“The dry port was given to Zimbabwe by the Namibian Government through the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.
This has motivated Zimbabwean Ambassador to Namibia Melody Chaurura to frequently visit the dry port to check on the business operations of the Dry port.
“Ambassador Chaurura who was the Guest of Honour at the 5th anniversary celebrations has also been instrumental in the Dry Port’s quest to be compliant with all issues in Namibia,” Mr Chinyanga said.
A recent visit by the Chief Secretary, Corporate Governance Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr Allen Choruma together with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development Engineer Joy Makumbe is set to open a partnership between Zimbabwe Dry port and private partners.
“The purpose of the visit was to oversee a joint venture where a certain company has expressed interest in partnering the dry port in the procurement of equipment which is critically required for the operations of the dry port,” he said.
If the partnership goes through, the dry port is set to have Reach Stacker, Side Loader, Warehouse and Reefer Plugs (cold chain storage facility) which Mr Chinyanga described as key aspects in ensuring that the dry port operate at full capacity.
“The dry port has been struggling without these and if these are available it will be operating at its full capacity,” he said. The NHS Board led by Advocate Godwin Nyengedza has visited twice this year in March and May to appreciate and familiarise with the dry port operations.
“The board including the chief executive Mr Godknows Marawanyika has been supportive and took the initiative to visit and familiarise with the Dry port so they make informed decisions.
“The board is also constantly making efforts for other capitalisation projects through engaging the Government and other stakeholders,” Mr Chinyanga said.
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