Construction of Zim's Walvis Bay dry port resumes

Published: 30 October 2013

Construction at the Zimbabwean dry port at Walvis Bay in Namibia has resumed after work was stopped for some time due to financial constraints.

The government of Namibia in September 2009 granted Zimbabwe 19 000 square metres of land to construct its own dry port to boost trade.

The project is being spearheaded by Road Motor Services, a subsidiary of the National Railways of Zimbabwe, and $1,5 million is required to complete construction.

The port was supposed to be functional by the end of this year but construction of the dry port hit a snag due to Government's lack of funds.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha said Government had been facing financial challenges which had slowed down progress at the dry port.

"The Government has been facing challenges but we are working hard in harnessing funds to make sure that the project is completed. Construction of the dry port is underway but there is also need to rehabilitate the road and rail infrastructure that links the two countries," he said.

Due to Zimbabwe's position in the region, it has to depend on its neighbours both for transit and access to the seas. Traders have an option either to use the Trans-Kalahari or Trans-Caprivi Corridor as a link to the Atlantic markets of Europe and the Americas.

Minister Bimha said the initiative was critical for the revival of the manufacturing sector. He said Government was working hard to ensure the completion of projects.

"The Government at the moment is working hard towards making sure that all projects started before the new Government are finished. Among the projects, the Walvis Bay and the Beira port are to be given necessary attention," the minister said.

An official at the Namibian Desk in the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday said construction had stopped for a while due to non-payment of rental fees to the Namibian authorities. He said the rentals hadsince been paid and construction work had resumed.

"Construction work was stopped sometime this year but after clearance of outstanding rentals by Government, operations have resumed.

Government has also been facing challenges in making payments to the Walvis Bay Corridors Group, responsible for the construction at the port," he said.

Trade for Zimbabwe via Walvis Bay has increased for the past few years and a large percentage of commodities are transported along this corridor.

Zimbabwe's trade volumes through the port of Walvis Bay had grown significantly to 2 500 tonnes per month.

South Africa also uses Walvis Bay as an alternative to their Durban port and it has completed construction of its dry port which is already operational.
- herald