Story by Owen Mandovha
Transport ministers from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique have signed a joint tripartite report on the collaboration of the Deep Sea Port and Railway Upgrade to operationalise the tripartite agreement signed by Heads of State in Mozambique last month.
The signing of the report follows wide consultations made when Permanent Secretaries from Transport Ministries of the three countries met this Thursday to iron out finer details of the agreement.
Last month, Heads of State from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique signed a tripartite agreement in Mozambique to develop an Onshore Deep Sea Port at Techobanine and a 1700-kilometre Railway line linking the three countries.
Ministers of Transport from the three countries met in Harare this Friday to sign a joint report to operationalise the agreement towards executing the transformative regional project.
“This meeting paves the way for us to expedite the implementation of the project following the successful meeting of the Heads of State in Maputo last month. It harnesses the continued partnerships between the 3 countries to foster economic growth and development,” said the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Mhona.
“The railway line will create other key opportunities for the region and look forward to the first bullet train across the 3 countries,” said Botswana’s Minister of Transport and Public Works, Honourable Eric Molale.
Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Honourable AF Allisone said, “Mozambique is a willing partner to this agreement which will modernise railway infrastructure and also reap huge economic benefits for the countries involved.”
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Fredrick, who was represented by his Deputy Honourable Sheila Chikomo noted the regional unity displayed to harness infrastructure development in the region.
“The project is a good example of the determination by the three countries to further develop regional growth by enhancing the key infrastructure that allows for cheap and efficient movement of goods.”
The meeting ended with the signing of several individual agreements biding each country to specific performances under the project.
