News / National
Zimbabwe plans vehicle ferry for Kasambabezi Border Post
10 hrs ago |
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The Government plans to introduce a large ferry capable of transporting both passengers and vehicles across the Zambezi River at the newly commissioned Kasambabezi Border Post in Binga, a move aimed at enhancing cross-border trade, tourism and regional integration between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The vessel, to be provided through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, will serve the border post, which officially opened to the public in May before being commissioned by Vice President Kembo Mohadi last Friday.
For many years, communities on both sides of the Zambezi River have depended on small boats to travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia for family visits, trade, medical treatment and traditional ceremonies. The informal crossings have been associated with safety risks and loss of government revenue through unregulated movement of people and goods.
The construction of the Kariba Dam also separated communities, leaving some families in Zambia and others in Zimbabwe, making regular interaction more difficult despite their shared cultural and family ties.
Speaking after the commissioning ceremony, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo said improving water transport was the next priority following the opening of the border post.
"Now that the border has been commissioned, we need a bigger vessel that will not only carry passengers but also a few vehicles. Those who may want to drive around in Zambia or Zimbabwe before returning home the same day or after a few days should be able to load their vehicles onto the vessel and cross safely," he said.
Minister Moyo noted that travellers are currently transported using small boats, which are no longer sufficient to accommodate the growing number of people crossing the river.
"The larger vessel will make travelling easier and safer while promoting tourism and increasing commercial activity between Zimbabwe and Zambia," he said.
Chief Immigration Officer Respect Gono said traffic at the border post had increased significantly since it opened in May, demonstrating its strategic importance to communities living along the Zambezi Valley.
"We used to have small numbers crossing but now we are recording plus or minus 2,000 people crossing on a daily basis. As the Department of Immigration, we are also satisfied with the state of the border, which is fully computerised like all our border posts. This ensures safe and humane migration," she said.
The Kasambabezi Border Post is expected to become a key gateway for the movement of people and goods between Zimbabwe and Zambia, improving access to essential services while creating new trade and economic opportunities for communities in Binga District.
Government officials believe the introduction of a larger ferry will complement the modern border infrastructure, improve transport efficiency and support increased investment, tourism and cross-border commerce in Matabeleland North Province.
The vessel, to be provided through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, will serve the border post, which officially opened to the public in May before being commissioned by Vice President Kembo Mohadi last Friday.
For many years, communities on both sides of the Zambezi River have depended on small boats to travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia for family visits, trade, medical treatment and traditional ceremonies. The informal crossings have been associated with safety risks and loss of government revenue through unregulated movement of people and goods.
The construction of the Kariba Dam also separated communities, leaving some families in Zambia and others in Zimbabwe, making regular interaction more difficult despite their shared cultural and family ties.
Speaking after the commissioning ceremony, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo said improving water transport was the next priority following the opening of the border post.
"Now that the border has been commissioned, we need a bigger vessel that will not only carry passengers but also a few vehicles. Those who may want to drive around in Zambia or Zimbabwe before returning home the same day or after a few days should be able to load their vehicles onto the vessel and cross safely," he said.
Minister Moyo noted that travellers are currently transported using small boats, which are no longer sufficient to accommodate the growing number of people crossing the river.
"The larger vessel will make travelling easier and safer while promoting tourism and increasing commercial activity between Zimbabwe and Zambia," he said.
Chief Immigration Officer Respect Gono said traffic at the border post had increased significantly since it opened in May, demonstrating its strategic importance to communities living along the Zambezi Valley.
"We used to have small numbers crossing but now we are recording plus or minus 2,000 people crossing on a daily basis. As the Department of Immigration, we are also satisfied with the state of the border, which is fully computerised like all our border posts. This ensures safe and humane migration," she said.
The Kasambabezi Border Post is expected to become a key gateway for the movement of people and goods between Zimbabwe and Zambia, improving access to essential services while creating new trade and economic opportunities for communities in Binga District.
Government officials believe the introduction of a larger ferry will complement the modern border infrastructure, improve transport efficiency and support increased investment, tourism and cross-border commerce in Matabeleland North Province.
Source - The Chronicle
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