…as residents, returnees revel over revamped port
By Siphamandla Nleya
Matabeleland South Correspondent
Beitbridge residents, Zimbabweans returning home and cross-border traders, are excited over the massive infrastructure projects being implemented by the Second Republic, the latest and arguably the best so far being the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post.
A lot of Zimbabweans, particularly those living in Beitbridge and those that have been to South Africa and other developed countries, had given up hope of seeing modern infrastructure such as wide roads, refreshing borders and airports in their country.
Those living in Harare had the consolation of having Joina City, Eastgate, Westgate and Sam Levy’s village while those in the Bulawayo have Bulawayo Centre.
In Victoria Falls, residents essentially had the rainforest, hotels and the Victoria Falls International Airport as the most beautiful areas while it’s almost doom and gloom in other areas.
At independence in 1980, massive investments were made in the education sector but little was done towards key infrastructure such as roads and airports.
Those that cross into South Africa on a daily or weekly basis to hoard stock for their shops and sell to some goods, seized that advantage to admire tall bulidings and spaghetti roads, then take selfies for their Facebook and WhatsApp profile pictures.
From 1980 to 2017, Zimbabwe achieved many milestones such as redistributing land, constructing some roads and schools.
However, since 2018, Zimbabwe has embarked on a massive infrastructure development drive that has stunned not just some Government officials, but also neighbouring countries.
The biggest wonder among many is what has caused this infrastructure development now, and not any other time in the past.
Probably the signature infrastructure project that President Mnangagwa’s administration embarked upon is the US$300 million Beitbridge Border Post upgrade and modernisation drive.
The border upgrade, which has dwarfed the one across the Limpopo River, has brought other developments such as the 11,4 million water reservoir, a modern fire station, a Staff Village with 220 houses and an animal quarantine centre.
President Mnangagwa commissioned the Beitbridge Border on August 31 at a colorful ceremony attended by hundreds of delegates from Beitbrigde town and the rest of the country and South Africans including officials from the South African Revenue Services.
A Beitbridge resident, who attended the commissioning, Ms Nodumo Muleya who lives in Tshitaudze suburb, was full of praise for President Mnangagwa for embarking on infrastructure development projects.
“I never thought I would live to see this day. If you go to Dulivhadzimu and even the new suburbs, you will find bad infrastructure,” said Ms Muleya.
“The council now needs to revamp roads and sewer so as to match the houses being constructed at Staff Village, the border itself and the road from the border to Bulawayo and the other to Harare.”
She also welcomed President Mnangagwa’s demand that the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road be modernised as a matter of urgency.
Ms Rofiwa Ndou was both excited at the developments and shocked at why such projects were not done bit-by-bit since 1980.
“I just was to salute President Mnangagwa for embarking on infrastructure projects.
“For us who live in Beitbridge, we knew of the developments in South Africa and were thinking that Zimbabwe was cursed.
“Imagine that our border post just had the two buildings; a warehouse and immigration office. Now the border looks like some university in a developed country,” said Ms Ndou.
Speaking while commissioning the border, President Mnangagwa said the upgrade and modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post was “a key milestone” in the operationalisation of the Integrated Beitbridge Development Master Plan.
He added that it stands out as “one of the signature infrastructure projects being implemented, to date, by the Second Republic”.
“The scope of works of this project will undoubtedly see this port of entry facilitate the smooth discharge of the statutory functions of various stakeholders as well as result in a seamless link of our economy with other jurisdictions along the North-South Corridor,” said President Mnangagwa.
“As such, the project gives prominence to the shared aspirations for greater regional integration and cooperation, as outlined in the Regional Infrastructure Development Strategy.
“The high impact project will have far reaching spin-offs for sustainable socio-economic development for the peoples and economies of our Southern Africa region.”
The President presided over the ground-breaking ceremony in 2018, and now, the entire project is almost complete, highlighting the Government’s resolve to conclude all projects it embarks on speedily.
In July 2018 again, the President presided over the ground-breaking ceremony for the Hwange Thermal Power Station Expansion to add 600MW to the grid, and the modernisation of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Both projects are at advanced stages of completion with Unit 7 at Hwange expected to be switched on in November while Unit 8 will be ready by the first quarter of next year.
In respect of the Beitbridge Border project, President Mnangagwa said he was “gratified and thoroughly impressed” by the remarkable state-of-the-art infrastructure that has so far been constructed.
“The modernised and upgraded sections of the border post are a testament of the efficacy of my Government’s ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ philosophy.
“It further resonates with the ongoing thrust of building the Zimbabwe we all want, brick-by-brick, stone upon stone.
“The completed parts prove that success is indeed inevitable when Government and the private sector work together towards the development of a nation. I, thus, applaud the Zimborders Consortium, a Zimbabwean-led initiative, for executing this landmark project with diligence, dexterity, professionalism and excellent workmanship.”
President Mnangagwa said his administration remains determined to continue unlocking innovative financial instruments and solutions to develop and modernise the country.
The Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project brings an array of benefits for the country and the region at large, particularly through the trade, investment , business travel, tourism and easing the movement of goods and people in the SADC region.
The border will contribute significantly to the overall industrialisation agenda and economic growth of Zimbabwe and the region at large, as envisioned in the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap.
President Mnangagwa said it was pleasing that since the opening of the new freight terminal and facilities for commercial traffic at Beitbridge Border, the average waiting time for users, has been significantly reduced.
“Going forward, I exhort employees of the various agencies at our ports of entry to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professional ethics in sync with the work culture of the Second Republic.
“Border Posts are the face of our country and must be a physical embodiment of our national character, defined by values of hard, honest work, patriotism and the commitment to serve in the best interest of our beloved country.
“In the same vein, I urge exporting entities, cross-border traders and travellers, among other users of our ports of entry, to be responsible and law abiding citizens,” he said.
The Beitbridge Border Post upgrade project was named one of the well-structured investment deals for the year 2020.
It was also awarded the winning accolade of Global Trade Review Global Deal of the Year Award for Optimisation and Rehabilitation.
The project has provided opportunities for skills and knowledge transfer in the local community, with more than 1 400 jobs created to date for people.
More border upgrades on cards
President Mnangagwa said in line with international trends, and to further improve the quality of services in the transport sub-sector, the Government will accelerate the upgrade and modernisation of other border posts, including Chirundu, Forbes, Plumtree, Nyamapanda, Kazungula and Victoria Falls.
“We are also aware that the development of these border posts must be augmented by other complementing infrastructure for the efficient transportation of goods, movement of people and provision of services.
“In that vein, my Government remains committed to ensuring that our major highways and feeder roads are speedily modernised. “Riding on the notable successes made by local companies on the Beitbridge-Harare road, we are determined to move on to modernise the Harare-Chirundu and Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls roads.”
The President commended Government ministries, departments and Agencies as well as the Zimborders Consortium for the unity of purpose and tireless efforts which resulted in the completed milestones witnessed to date.
