All-new Beitbridge Border Post opens!
All-new Beitbridge Border Post opens!
Southern Africa has been in the doldrums for decades when it comes to trade facilitation, while East Africa has progressed in leaps and bounds. MIKE FITZMAURICE says this is all about to change with the opening of the all-new Beitbridge Border Post.
New one-stop border post (OSBP) infrastructures are popping up all over the place and efficient ICT systems have revolutionised trade in the region. The construction of the majestic Kazungula Bridge across the mighty Zambezi River and two newly developed OSBPs on the Botswana and Zambian sides were the first inklings of change in southern Africa. Now the new state-of-the-art Beitbridge Border Post is a definite sign of the new dawn!
If southern Africa is to be a global competitor in the logistics arena, we need a holistic regional logistics solution and that can only be achieved by way of the upgrading and modernisation of our regional border posts and ports. An efficient logistics system delivers on time and increases the productivity of the transporters. Instead of delivering one load per month, the transporter can look forward to achieving three to four.
Increased utilisation means an improved bottom line and profitability and, at the end of the day, that is the ultimate objective of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AcFTA). It aims to create prosperity in the region through the free movement of people and goods and a competitive business environment.
In 2018, Zimborders was awarded the $300 million contract to upgrade the Beitbridge Border Post. The scope of works included a full upgrade of the border terminals whereby three new terminal buildings were constructed, and all related systems were upgraded. In addition, other works (all required for a border post to function and operate efficiently) included developing the fire station, agency housing, sewer line, electrical supply, reservoir, water pipeline and sewage treatment plant. The project also included upgrades to the roads to and from the crossing, perimeter fencing, gate controls, parking areas, security and lighting systems. Construction got underway in December 2020 (this was when financial closure by the lenders was achieved).
The upgrade of the Beitbridge Border Post aims to improve the overall efficiency of the movement of travellers and the ease of doing business. It will contribute to a better and easier flow of people and goods – be it for tourism, private or business – with the goal of improving traffic and speed of movement between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The improved efficiencies will result in reduced costs, quicker turnaround times, increased service levels and a better overall trading experience. To achieve this, Zimborders has invested in high-tech facilities and infrastructure as well as automated process flows.
The new features include:
- The border post has been constructed using world-class architecture.
- Automated flow control systems enable efficient flow through the border post.
- Border Access Ticket – to be scanned at every relevant agency. This enables full visibility of where you are in the automated flow.
- On-site kiosk to scan the ticket to see where you are in the process at any time.
- Split vehicle classes (freight/commercial vehicles, buses/coaches and light vehicles), with their own terminals and route through the border.
- Automatic intelligent booms that direct traffic seamlessly.
- New vehicle parking areas, upgraded in-border roads and feeder roads.
- Improved security with fencing between different vehicle class routes.
- New cargo scanning equipment allowing for faster inspection of cargo and detection of fraud.
- Improved inspection and unloading facilities.
- New static weighbridges.
- Master control room to monitor border statistics in real time.
I believe that the new Beitbridge Border Post will be the flagship border post in Africa for many years to come.
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focusmagsa
