Lack of money delays completion of border post in Binga

Traditional-Tonga-mud-huts-on-stilts-near-Binga-Zimbabwe-1Patrick Chitumba recently in Binga
STAFF shortage at the immigration department and delays by government in releasing funds to develop a harbour at the new Zimbabwe-Zambia border in Kani area in Binga have delayed the completion of the project.

Across Lake Kariba, Zambian authorities have kept their end of the bargain by constructing Namafulu Border Post.

An official in the office of the Binga District Administrator, Witness Kufa, said they had set up a team tasked with engaging the Civil Service Commission to map the way forward on recruitment of staff for the border post.

He said the port of entry would enhance trade and tourism growth since distance from Zambia to Binga would be drastically cut.

“We’ve two houses ready for occupation by immigration officers. What we’re waiting for is their deployment to this part of the country,” he said.

Kufa said boats would be used to ferry tourists, goods and vehicles across the lake.

At the moment, he said, illegal entry into Zimbabwe and Zambia through the site was taking place since there was no proper border post.

“Traders are coming in and out of Binga through uncontrolled entry points along the lake. If the border post is set up with a harbour, trade and tourism in Binga would be increased,” he said.

Kufa could not be drawn into indicating how much was needed to develop the harbour at Kani into a border post.

Senator Chief Siansali of Kariangwe in Binga said construction of the remaining infrastructure needed to be prioritised as both governments had agreed on the project as a way of connecting the BaTonga people.

He said the border would boost tourism between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Chief Siansali said construction of the border post was imperative for the growth of the economy adding that Binga as a tourist destination had a poor road network.

“Binga as a tourist destination is under-utilised and the roads are in a terrible state. People would prefer to cut across the water rather than drive here hence the border post will not only connect the BaTonga people but contribute to the economic activities and increase trade between Zimbabwe and Zambia,” he said.

Chief Siansali said it was disheartening to see the houses that were built for the staff dilapidating due to lack of use and the money and effort that was put in constructing going to waste.

Two executive houses, each with four bedrooms, electrified and fully serviced, were built as part of the project.

Binga Rural District Council chief executive officer Joshua Mzamba recently told this paper that they had allocated stands for the construction of Binga port of entry offices.

The idea to construct a border post between Zimbabwe and Zambia in Binga came as part of efforts to reconnect the Tonga people as the Zambezi River cuts across a village and the people, mostly relatives, were separated.

Zimbabwe and Zambia have good bilateral relations and share similar political history while people on both sides of the border share strong cultural and religious ties.

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