Forbes Border Post upgrade starts 

Source: Forbes Border Post upgrade starts – herald

Remember Deketeke

Herald Reporter

EARLY works for the Forbes Border Post upgrade have started, in a move expected to ease congestion, boost trade facilitation and reinforce Zimbabwe’s role as a strategic regional transit hub.

The project, which follows the signing of an agreement between Zimbabwe and the Forbes Border Consortium on January 28, marks a significant step in Government’s ongoing drive to modernise the country’s border and road infrastructure along the North-South Corridor.

Permanent Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, yesterday said preparatory works were already underway to pave the way for full-scale construction.

“The early works programme is being undertaken to establish and prepare the site for the full construction phase,” she said.

“This includes setting up essential temporary facilities, securing the site, carrying out surveys and investigations, undertaking initial earthworks and drainage and completing other preparatory works necessary to enable the main project to proceed smoothly.”

Eng Makumbe said once completed, the prepared site will also be used as a temporary truck staging area, providing immediate relief from congestion at the Forbes Border Post ahead of the main construction phase.

The border post, which links Zimbabwe and Mozambique, has long been plagued by congestion, with haulage trucks sometimes enduring delays stretching several days.

Authorities believe the upgrade will drastically cut waiting times and improve efficiency in the movement of goods and people.

Government is advancing the Forbes Border Post upgrade concurrently with the Chirundu One-Stop-Border Post modernisation, building on the success of the Beitbridge Border Post transformation, which has already set a benchmark for regional border efficiency.

Eng Makumbe said these efforts reinforce Zimbabwe’s position as the preferred route connecting the region to international markets, underpinning the country’s role as a strategic transit hub.