THE government wants all mining companies in Zimbabwe to upgrade the road and rail systems near their facilities.
Zimbabwe has a rail network of about 3 200km, with annual designed capacity of 18 million tonnes, but the infrastructure is now dilapidated, caused by theft, vandalism and lack of investment leading to massive deterioration of the country’s rail service.
According to Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry permanent secretary Joy Makumbe, to safeguard the road network, mining companies would need to repair some of the roads where they conduct business.
“That is what the Ministry of Mines with other stakeholders are interested in as well. But what has been overlooked is the issue of the mining companies also giving back to the community, either with regards to repairing of the road that they are using or actually refurbishing the railway network that is close to where their main activities are,” she said.
“So this is going to be something that is going to be mandatory going forward because in the past, there has been something which they could do if they wanted to do, but it will become mandatory that the MoU [memorandum of understanding] they will sign, will actually include that clause so that we can protect our roads and also operate our way.”
Over the years, freight carriage at the State-run National Railway of Zimbabwe (NRZ), which was once the favoured means of transportation for the majority of Zimbabweans and enterprises, has decreased over the years, from a peak of 18 million in 1995.
This has put a strain on the country’s road network, which has subsequently yielded.
Since then, the railway system has emerged as a crucial component in attempts to revive the economy.
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Bulls to charge into Zimbabwe gold stocks
- Ndiraya concerned as goals dry up
- Letters: How solar power is transforming African farms
Keep Reading
Makumbe also noted that the NRZ has ventured into a partnership with Mozambique Ports and Railways to revamp the railway network in the neighbouring country.
“And I think that should actually be completed before end of year. So we are just watching the Press for an update on that one,” she said
“And they are also doing other in-house works, linking us to Botswana. Recently, there was a tripartite that came into form where the three presidents, former leaders in Malawi and also Botswana, agreed that the three countries will come together and ensure that we have a railways system that works for the three countries.”
