Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Zimborders Consortium general manager Nqobile Ncube said that the automation of services at the Beitbridge Border Post has helped improve efficiency and lured back some transporters on the Zimbabwean transit route.
Ncube said this to members of two Parliamentary portfolio committees responsible for Finance and Economic Development and that of Defence, Home Affairs, and Security.
He said the volume of commercial cargo coming through Beitbridge was gradually increasing and truckers, buses and cross-border traders were being cleared faster.
Ncube also said Zimborders Consortium structured the construction works at the border post in phases and is already done with Phase 1 (freight terminal) and Phase 2 (bus terminal). He said:
This move reduces too much human interface between the border officials and other border users.
So since we launched the freight terminal in October last year, we are handling an average of 800 trucks per day.
At its best, the border used to carry about 1 200 commercial trucks daily, and we can surpass that margin if we continue working on upgrading efficiency issues.
Ncube said the separation of traffic into commercial trucks, buses, light vehicles, and pedestrians had contributed to improved border services.
The Government partnered with Zimborders Consortium to modernise the country’s busiest inland port at a cost of US$300 million under a 17 and half-year concession.
Under the concession, the Government is providing the land and technical support while the consortium is providing funding and civil works.
Hi-tech systems including booms, cameras, online clearance processes, drive-in commercial cargo scanners, and baggage scanners for those using the bus and light vehicles’ terminals will be installed at the border.
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