Zim commits to building, upgrading more roads
ZIMBABWE is committed to building more and better roads, bridges, airports, railway networks and border crossing facilities but cannot do it alone and thus needed to be in partnership with neighbours such as Mozambique.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe-Mozambique bilateral meeting on cooperation in transport and transport infrastructure in Harare yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said cooperation between the two countries was not new as it was anchored by a historical and strong foundation of having shared the same trenches in the struggle for independence against colonialism.
“That alone is testament of our enduring legacy of bilateral cooperation, towards mutually beneficial and developmental programmes for our people. Indeed, our two countries are uniquely connected to each other as we share a lot in common in terms of our geography, traditions, values, cultures, languages, religion, aspirations and interests.
“Let us bear in mind that the opportunity offered by this bilateral platform creates room for scaling up our further cooperation in areas of aviation, road, rail and maritime transport and infrastructures.
“Through this partnership, let us scale up our government-to-government cooperation and deepen the people-to-people relations, as these are a catalyst for stronger relations between us. This momentum and ground game has to be maintained, as these relations bolster our ability to solve the issues of common concern in line with our demands and expectations.
“I also wish to express my profound gratitude and acknowledgement of our two visionary Heads of State: His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa and His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Cde FJ Nyusi. They have guided us to connect for the good of our two countries and peoples.
“As you have heard during your deliberations, our Heads of State agreed on the need for deeper cooperation in the transport sector, to facilitate the development of infrastructure and seamless transit facilitation, with the view to reduce costly and time-consuming transshipment of people and goods,” he said.
He was aware that for the past two days, they had weaved through a convoluted programme, deliberating on wide ranging subject matters on transport and transport infrastructure and development, mainly along the Beira Development Corridor.
“Such discussions enrich our aspirations and strengthens our resolve for an interconnected Southern African region, within the framework of a continental renaissance, boldly manifesting through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), the largest free trade area in the world, which seeks to leverage on a massive regime of transport and logistics.
“Our bilateral cooperation with Mozambique should enable us to tap into the annual flows of foreign-direct investment from the international financial institutions and other sources of development finance. Africa’s population is growing faster than that of any other continent, and our citizens are on the move faster than people elsewhere.
“These trends will drive demand and create opportunities for fast mobilities, massive logistical arrangements and connectivity in a manner that has never been witnessed before. Investments in infrastructure such as roads and railways are crucial to the development of our region.
“With the current boom in exports of chrome ore, ferrochrome, granite, lithium, iron ore, coal and many bulky minerals and inbound movement of containers, grains, fertilisers and containerised traffic, it is high time we should up our game and collaborate for us to jointly tap into development finance to develop our infrastructure,” Minister Mhona said.