Zim, Mozambique transport officials in bilateral talks
ZIMBABWE and Mozambique are holding bilateral meetings on cooperation in transport and infrastructure as they fine-tune modalities to have Forbes and Machipanda border posts run for 24 hours a day without any glitches.
On Monday, team of senior and technical officials from the Mozambican Ministry of Transport and Communications arrived in Zimbabwe for the meetings.
Led by Mr Ambrósio Sitoe, the Permanent Secretary in the Mozambican Ministry of Transport and Communications the team yesterday met Government officials in Harare.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary Engineer Joy Makumbe hailed the delegation for heeding the call by the two countries’ Presidents to discuss the development of the transport sector.
“This is an opportunity that has presented itself to us as we have quite a number of issues we need to discuss so that we build our economies and move forward. Our bilateral relations continue to be the bedrock for socio-economic development between our two countries.
“In this regard, it is quite fitting for us to have this multi-stakeholder meeting so that we can discuss the interrelated issues that promote integration,” she said.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona was also expected to meet his Mozambican counterpart, Mr Mateus Magala this week.
In November last year, President Mnangagwa joined Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in witnessing the commissioning of the rehabilitated US$200 million Beira-Machipanda railway line.
Speaking at the commissioning of the railway line in Manica, Mozambique, President Mnangagwa said, not only would the rehabilitated 318-kilometre railway line reduce transport costs, but would ease congestion at Forbes Border Post in Mutare.
Eng Makumbe said the meeting of the Ministers was important as it would provide a platform for them to act towards the issues raised by the Heads of State.
“These include development in all transport modes to allow for seamless movement of persons and goods across our borders. As you may be aware, we are taking a bold step towards upgrading and modernising our border posts.
“This includes the Forbes-Machipanda Border Post, which once complete will be upgraded to a One Stop Border Post. As we all know, Zimbabwe is landlocked and as a country we rely on such as Beira and Maputo in Mozambique and Mozambique has continued to provide us with support and facilitation and access to the sea through these ports.
“The flow of imports and exports is dependent on a number of factors, which include existing relations and recognition of existing regulations on movement of persons and goods,” she said.
She said there was need for efficiency to avoid lengthy storage periods at ports of entry, particularly as the ports in the region tend to be congested most of the time. “This makes the route and the transport sector unfavourable. At this juncture, allow me to extend my condolences towards the people of the Republic of Mozambique and those who lost their lives because of the cyclones over the years. These recent weather events have cost us as a region a lot of lives, property and infrastructure and we stand with you as our brothers and sisters.
“Together, we can achieve and be in a better position to address the challenges that have arisen because of these phenomena,” Eng Makumbe said.
She said as the teams discuss infrastructure development, they needed to consider these issues and build more resilient infrastructure that could cope with these extreme weather events.
“This should include development and adoption of infrastructure standards. Development of infrastructure is one of the top political priorities in Africa, to enable economic growth and competitiveness.”
◆ Full story on www.herald.co.zw