The Sunday Mail
Over the last four years, the Government has implemented infrastructure development projects that are transforming the country’s outlook. The Sunday Mail’s DEBRA MATABVU (DM) spoke to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona (FM) about ongoing projects and Government’s plans going forward.
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DM: Can you outline the successes the Government has scored in the area of infrastructure development since the coming in of the New Dispensation?
FM: Our successes include the upgrading and widening of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road; the upgrading and modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post, which was officially opened by His Excellency, Dr ED Mnangagwa, on August 31; the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2, which covers road rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction and maintenance; the Mbudzi Interchange, which started this year, with construction progress now at 30 percent; and the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport upgrading and expansion.
DM: Please, outline the Government’s broader plans for infrastructure development lined up towards the attainment of Vision 2030?
FM: The need for the development of urban transport is growing and the Government is considering other forms of traffic management systems that include restructuring of road networks, creation of bus lanes, establishing trams and developing smart cities.
The Government plans to upgrade its entire regional trunk roads network to Southern Africa Transport and Communications Commission standards starting with the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road that is underway. Others that are planned for upgrading and widening include the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road; the Harare-Chirundu Road and the Harare-Nyamapanda Road.
In the railway sector, we are working on the recapitalisation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) through the procurement of rolling stock and rehabilitation of infrastructure.
DM: How much progress has been made in modernising highways under the Government’s programme to transform the country into a regional trade and transportation hub?
FM: The ministry is modernising highways in tandem with the dictates of NDS1 (National Development Strategy 1) as we gravitate towards Vision 2030.
To date, 330km of the Harare-Beitbridge Road have been opened to traffic, with various sections of the road at different stages of construction. We expect to complete the widening and upgrading of the 580km highway by the end of 2023. Works have commenced on the Harare-Kanyemba Road.
The scope of works is to upgrade from gravel and earth a road section 130km long from Mahuwe to Kanyemba, and rehabilitate, widen and reseal the remaining 220km.
The project will be done in phases and completion will be in six years.
Feasibility studies were completed for the following: Joshua Nkomo Road (Airport Road), the Harare-Nyamapanda Road and the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
Feasibility studies are being carried out on the Rutenga-Boli-Sango Road, the Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road and Harare Outer Ring Road. These roads are potential public-private partnership projects. To ease congestion, we have extended dualisation of the Harare-Mutare Road from Melfort to Bromley; and the Harare-Gweru Road, 10km from the Norton tollgate.
DM: We understand the plan includes the redevelopment of all our major borders, including Forbes, Chirundu and Plumtree, to meet world-class standards. Can you outline how this plan will be rolled out?
FM: As you have seen on the modernised Beitbridge Border Post, which was recently officially opened by the President, the Government has prioritised the upgrading and modernising of all major border posts.
Currently, the designs for the Kazungula Border Post are at an advanced stage and studies to upgrade and modernise the Chirundu Border Post are underway.
Forbes, Nyamapanda and Plumtree border posts will be upgraded to ensure ease of movement of goods and people.
DM: What progress has been made in refurbishing the Kazungula Border Post?
FM: The governments of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed to build a tri-national border post at Kazungula. As Zimbabwe, we engaged a consultant, who is currently working on designs for the Zimbabwean side and adjustments of designs on the existing Botswana and Zambia infrastructure. To date, the contractor has finished the preliminary designs of the project.
DM: The President recently singled out the rail sub-sector as the missing link in efforts to modernise the transport sector. What is being done to ensure this sub-sector is brought to the expected standard?
FM: It is not a secret that investment in rail has been lagging behind since the late 1990s to date. NRZ rolling stock in use — locomotives, wagons and coaches — has lived beyond its economic shelf-life and the infrastructure (electrical installations, signals, communication equipment and tracks) has been vandalised. Electric trains were decommissioned owing to vandalism of the related infrastructure.
The train control system has reverted to the manual form, which is slow and risky, owing to vandalism and obsolesce of the signalling system.
The tracks are marred by cautions (speed restrictions), a state that inhibits efficiency of operations, culminating in poor service delivery. The rail inefficiency results in road transport being overwhelmed. This arises as bulk cargo naturally suited for rail transport shifts to the road.
The cost of road repair has, thus, become unsustainable. The Government is alive to this big anomaly and has turned its focus on finding a solution around the recapitalisation of NRZ. The revival of NRZ will be directed by the approved NRZ 10-year strategic plan.
The plan articulates the three interlinked phases – turnaround, growth and expansion – and its success rests on securing an investment partner for rail transport.
In the short term, the turnaround phase, the thrust will be to reverse the declining trend in business performance.
DM: Can you outline the progress you have made in efforts to revive the NRZ?
FM: The NRZ has successfully completed the restructuring, which has seen the organisation adopting a lean structure to spur the plan into reality.
Arrangements are at an advanced stage to conclude a deal to the tune of US$120 million. The deal will allow NRZ to receive an injection of seven locomotives, 315 wagons and five DMUs (diesel multiple units).
The media will be invited in the near future to witness the signing ceremony of the deal.
The Government will intensify efforts to secure infrastructure funding to the tune of US$100 million, and this is expected to follow soon after finalisation of the rolling stock arrangement. The real estate portfolio is being revitalised to grow the value to complement revenue streams.
DM: A lot of work is being done at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the Government is funding the upgrading of airstrips and airports across the country. Can you outline the progress made so far?
FM: The Government continues to facelift and upgrade airports and airstrips in the country in support of tourism and business.
This is demonstrated by Government’s decision to provide the funding for airports infrastructure development in the national budget. Currently, Government, through the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, is upgrading and rehabilitating several airports.
Kariba, Mutare Grand Reef and Beitbridge airports are all at feasibility study stage and are earmarked for upgrading and modernisation under public-private partnerships.
The progress made on RGM International and Buffalo Range airports development is as follows:
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Development Project: Runways and taxiways rehabilitation complete; Airfield ground lighting is 50 percent complete; and the international terminal building expansion and upgrading is 70 percent complete.
The construction of north and south wings is expected to be completed early next year.
Buffalo Range Airport: Runway complete, waiting for funding to make an overlay on the taxiways; and apron rehabilitation is 50 percent complete.
DM: We have witnessed an influx of international airlines into the country recently. What do you attribute this renewed interest to and what is the Government doing to attract more airlines?
FM: The engagement and re-engagement efforts of the Second Republic, as well as the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration on Open Skies for Africa, have contributed significantly to the influx of new airlines.
Zimbabwe is part of the Single African Air Transport Market.
The ministry, in partnership with the World Bank Group, has engaged a consultant, CPCS Transcom International, to assist in destination marketing and route development aimed at improving air access and services in Victoria Falls and Harare.
The programme is aimed at the recovery, maintenance and growth of the route network and air capacity for Victoria Falls and Harare.
DM: Can you outline measures being taken to revive the national flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe?
FM: The Government, under the Second Republic, realised the gravity of the situation at Air Zimbabwe emanating from various yesteryear challenges. The administrator produced a six-year strategic turnaround plan, which was approved by Cabinet.
Top of his recommendations was for the Government to take over Air Zimbabwe’s legacy debt in an attempt to reconstruct the airline’s balance sheet, and that was duly done.
Air Zimbabwe added a new Embraer ERJ145 to its fleet, and that 50-seater aircraft is currently servicing domestic and regional routes. The Government has acquired a second Embraer, to be inducted into the airline’s fleet, to add more capacity and route expansion.
The third priority is unlocking airline systems integration to allow Air Zimbabwe to tap into interlining traffic through IATA (International Air Transport Association), clearing house membership and Global Distribution Systems. To show our resolve towards reviving the national airline, we have appointed a new substantive board of directors effective August 1, 2022. The new board has seasoned aviation experts. All these measures show the Government’s commitment to reviving the fortunes of Air Zimbabwe.
DM: Are you satisfied with the restructuring that has taken place at the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) and how the authority is disbursing funds for road development?
FM: Zinara has been going through a transformational phase.
You may recall that there have been several corporate governance issues that were flagged by a forensic audit a few years ago, which needed to be attended to.
In light of this, we appointed a new board to oversee the transformation of the institution and ensure that its operations are aligned to its legislative mandate.
Zinara now has a new chief executive officer and they have put in place systems and measures that are already yielding positive results. As a ministry, yes, we are happy and satisfied with Zinara’s restructuring.
This is the highest level of transparency and accountability that we want in the Second Republic.
DM: May you please give an update on the development of the Mbudzi Interchange.
FM: Planning and implementation of the Mbudzi Interchange project is progressing well. To date, all the affected properties were valuated. Government has offered compensation and people are responding positively to the offers. What remains now is payment of compensation.
As far as the actual construction is concerned, out of a total 12 bridges, we are working on six, and we are at approximately at 24 percent completion stage on bridge construction. A 7km diversion route was completed and opened to traffic.
The Mbudzi project area has been closed for construction from September 18, 2022, for a period of close to one year and five months.
DM: What other infrastructure development programmes do you have in the pipeline?
FM: Seven border posts were approved for modernisation and upgrading by Cabinet.
We expect to complete the modernisation and upgrading of these border posts by 2030.
To date, the Beitbridge Border Post has been modernised and upgraded.
In line with Government’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind, we have plans to upgrade secondary roads to tarred roads in support of the rural population and ensure easy connection to markets for their produce.
The Government is planning to construct missing links on our railway network.
These include the Lion’s Den-Kafue, Shamva-Moetize and Dete-Sengwa rail links.
In the aviation sector, the Government is planning to upgrade and modernise the following: Hwange National Park, Masvingo, Kariba, Gweru, Beitbridge and Mutare airports.
