The link between border, highway upgrade
HE will being demonstrated by Government to not only implement, but see through developmental projects, will be celebrated by yet another milestone early next month when the newly constructed commercial terminal is commissioned at Beitbridge Border Post.
That the Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project’s Phase 1 is almost complete and will be opened to traffic next month is a major development in the transportation sector.
In fact, the modernisation of the border post becomes a massive leap forward if juxtaposed with the on-going upgrading of the Harare-Beitbridge Highway.
The two major developments resonate beyond Zimbabwe’s borders as they are important to the region in terms of the aspirations of many countries in trade and regional economic integration. Beitbridge Border Post modernisation The border post’s importance to the region’s development is underlined by the fact that it is SADC’s busiest inland port of entry. And the numbers confirm this status.
The border post handles at least 1 200 commercial heavy trucks, 3 500 light motor vehicles, 120 buses and 15 000 travellers daily.
Upon completion of the modernisation project, the border post will have an increased capacity to deal with more than five times these numbers.
This alone shows the huge potential that lies at Beitbridge as a catalyst for development in terms of regional trade and development.
Of the huge numbers that pass through Beitbridge Border Post, not all are Zimbabweans.
Some come from as far away as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Malawi and a number of Ethiopians, Sudanese and Somalians have also been known to use Beitbridge Border Post.
This makes the border not a Zimbabwean issue, but a regional asset playing an important role in moving economies.
The prioritising of this facility in the modernisation agenda being pursued by the New Dispensation is thus right on point.
The border is being modernised under a US$300 million facility through a 17-year Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement between the Government and Zimborders Consortium.
Under the initiative, the Government is providing technical support, while Zimborders, through various financial institutions, is funding civil works.
The project is being done in three phases. The first phase, which is expected to open to traffic early next month, was concentrated on upgrading the buildings, warehouses, roads, installing new weigh-bridges and a new main freight terminal building.
Phases 2 and 3 will deal with the construction of the new terminals for buses, light vehicles and pedestrians, and other necessities that facilitate the ease of doing business.
At least 264 staff houses will be constructed for border agencies.
Speaking during a recent tour of the project, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said Government was upgrading the border post in line with Vision 2030 of attaining an upper middle income economy.
“Lack of appropriate infrastructure and non-automation at the country’s and Sadc’s busiest border had in previous years created a bottleneck to the efficient movement of cargo and people,” he was quoted as saying.
“As you are aware, this is one of the busiest borders in our country and Sadc region, and I am sure this is going to be the hub in Sadc in terms of regional and international trade facilitation.”
It is hoped that with the modernisation project, systems at the border post will be upgraded to ensure the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s capacity to collect revenue is increased.
This will result in more funds coming to Treasury and eventually directed towards other developmental needs of the country.
The border post is also expected to be the first choice as the works being done will result in shorter clearance periods for both human and vehicular traffic.
The efficient movement of cargo will enable people to do their business within set time periods, unlike in the past when vehicles could be stuck at the border post for days.
Harare-Beitbridge Road upgrading
The Second Republic has demonstrated its astuteness in coming up with holistic solutions to developmental problems.
It makes economic sense that the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post is being done at the same time with the upgrading of the Harare-Betibridge Highway.
The highway is being widened to ensure
easy movement of traffic, considering that the existing one had become too narrow to effectively accommodate haulage trucks that are synonymous with the road.
It could have dampened the drivers’ enthusiasm to have modern services at the border post, but then plunge in a pothole riddled highway that is difficult to drive on.
This was going to discourage the drivers from using the border post and seek alternative routes where they drive their vehicles in luxury.
It is important that Government is also preparing for works to start on the Harare-Chirundu Highway, which completes the route from Beitbridge to Zambia.
The importance of this trunk road is that it connects Zimbabwe to the rest of countries north of the Zambezi River.
The construction work on the Harare- Beitbridge Highway involves laying a completely new surface on the almost 600-kilometre stretch.
The highway is being widened from seven metres to 12,5 metres, with clearly marked lanes that make driving an enjoyable experience.
There is no doubt this is one of the biggest
infrastructural projects being undertaken by President Mnangagwa’s administration, and the results are there for all to see.
Several sections on the road have been given a completely new look, while work on several other areas is ongoing.
That the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, just like the Beitbridge Border Post, is a lifeblood for the region, with goods worth millions of dollars being transported from several countries north of the Zambezi River to South Africa and its sea ports, is of no doubt.
More inward bound goods depart South Africa and its ports destined for the same countries north of the Zambezi River on a daily basis.
While the first phase at Beitbridge Border Post is being officially opened to traffic come early next month, many completed kilometres along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway have already been opened to traffic.
By the end of next year, going into 2023, it is expected that the new-look border post and the equally new-look Harare-Beitbridge Highway will both be fully operational, complimenting each other in contributing to the ease of doing business.
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