Story by BLESSED NYASHADZASHE JURA
The successful upgrade and modernization of the Beitbridge Border Post in recent years, spearheaded by the Second Republic under President E.D. Mnangagwa’s leadership, has inspired the government to embark on a similar project at the Chirundu One Stop Border Post. The Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube, informed the cabinet that this upgrade is slated to begin shortly. The upgrade and modernization of the Chirundu One Stop Border Post will be undertaken through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Chirundu Border Consortium. The project will be implemented under the Build, Operate, Own, and Transfer model over a period of 20 years. According to the agreement, Chirundu Border Consortium, a Zimbabwean-registered company, will be responsible for renovating existing border post buildings and infrastructure, constructing new buildings, weighbridges, roads, and parking lots, enhancing, improving, and integrating Information Communication Technology Systems (ICTS) into the Border Post operations, and improving traffic processing systems. Additionally, they will construct staff housing accommodations modeled after the successful example set by Zimborders, a private company that upgraded and modernized the Beitbridge Border Post. In line with Government policy of promoting a private sector-led economy, Chirundu One Stop Border Consortium will fully provide the required funds to cover the estimated project cost to the tune of US$66.8 million. The improvement of the Chirundu Border Post will bring immense economic benefits to the country, including complementing the improved efficiency at the Beitbridge Border Post and the upgraded Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu highway, enhancing the movement of transit traffic, thereby making this route the most preferred along the North-South Corridor. The improved connectedness of Zimbabwe to the region will position the country to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area resulting from Zimbabwe moving goods much faster in the region than before. The initiative will create employment opportunities for surrounding communities. The proposed upgrading and modernization of Chirundu One Stop Border Post came as a result of Government’s thrust under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, who has vowed to make infrastructural development across the country as his priority. The Presidents approach towards infrastructural development is now the new norm across Ministries and Local authorities throughout the country. President Mnangagwas brick by brick mantra on development has become his trademark in fulfilment of #NyikaInovakwaNeveneVayo.
