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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Matabeleland South community has welcomed Government’s decision to set up the Beitbridge Bridge Fund expected to modernise the border post. The upgrading of the border post has been progressing at a snail’s pace since 2001 owing to economic challenges facing the country.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu on Monday said Government set up the fund after assuming ownership and operations of the New Limpopo Bridge following the expiry of a 20-year Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement with New Limpopo Bridge Pvt (Ltd), a company which constructed the bridge in 1994.

The handover-takeover ceremony was held at the duty-free shop on the Zimbabwean border and witnessed by South Africa’s Transport Minister Dipuo Peters and senior civil servants.

The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration has since been tasked to take over the collection of tolling fees at the bridge with immediate effect.

It is estimated that NLB was collecting approximately US$1, 6 million a month from toll fees.
Dr Mpofu said South Africa will have a similar arrangement with money collected from toll being used to develop Musina.

Minister of State for Matabeleland South’s Provincial Affairs Cde Abednico Ncube said the takeover of the bridge and the establishment of the fund would go a long way in fostering development and employment creation in the province.

“We are very happy with the new arrangement and hope that the community of Beitbridge will derive maximum benefits in terms of infrastructure development,” he said.

The Beitbridge Residents Association chairman Mr Lawrence Tshili said the fund was a dream come true.
Senator for Beitbridge constituency Cde Tambudzani Mohadi said: “As local leadership we have been calling on Government and other organisations like the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) to consider putting a certain percentage of their proceeds towards upgrading key infrastructure in the district to no avail”

Ward 6 councillor Mr Isaac Guna said Government should consider giving priority to his area where water and sewer reticulation issues had become perennial challenges.

The acting town secretary for Beitbridge Mr Simon Muleya described the establishment of the fund as a move in the right direction.
He said revenue from the fund would be used in upgrading water and sewer reticulation systems and maintaining major roads.