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| National |
| Shire-Zambezi project hits snag |
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by
Edwin Nyirongo, 24 February 2007
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08:58:14
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President Bingu wa Mutharika’s dream of connecting Malawi to the Indian Ocean through the much-touted Shire-Zambezi Waterway might go up in flames should the Mozambican government not halt construction, which is underway, of a 2-kilometre bridge across the Zambezi downstream of Shire River.
A senior official in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works disclosed to this newspaper on Monday that in its effort to solve communication problems between Sofala and Zambezia provinces, the Mozambican government last March started constructing the bridge in Caea district.
“This has sent shock waves in the ministry as it [the bridge] will affect the Shire-Zambezi Waterway project because once the bridge is constructed, the place cannot allow ships to pass under it,” said the source.
But the official said the Malawi government is doing everything possible to make sure the project continues, saying if the waterway project fails, it will be a great embarrassment for President Mutharika who wants nothing but a realisation of his dreams.
The Mozambique Embassy in Malawi confirmed that a bridge is being constructed across the Zambezi River downstream of Shire.
First Consul at the embassy Seneao Taatiago said the construction of the bridge started in March last year and is expected to be completed in 2009.
“It is supposed to connect Caea district of Sofala province and Chinwara district of Zambezia province in to ease communication between the two areas,” said Taatiago.
The diplomat said the bridge which is two kilometres long and 376 meters wide is being constructed by Mota Engil construction company of Portugal.
He refused to comment when asked if the project will not affect the Shire-Zambezi Waterway saying it was not part of his responsibility.
Transport and Public Works minister Henry Mussa said he was aware of the problem but said it is being looked into.
“The bridge is called Khaya and is being funded by the Japanese. We agreed with Mozambican Transport minister when we met in Mozambique that they should not proceed with the bridge till our needs on the waterway project are factored in,” he said.
He admitted that designs show that when completed the bridge will be too low to allow navigation, saying it was at that point that the transport ministries of the two countries decided the bridge should be stopped.
The Mozambican Embassy, however, said the bridge construction has halted due to the rains that are falling and that the project would continue as soon as the rains are over.
But Mussa said the Embassy might have stale information on the project because the discussion (with his counterpart) was at policy level.
Mutharika and his Mozambican counterpart, Armando Guebuza, are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding this year committing them to work together on the project and mobilise resources from donors.
When operational the Shire-Zambezi waterway is expected to provide the shortest route to the sea for land locked Malawi as it connects Nsanje and the Indian Ocean port of Chinde a distance of over 238 kilometres.
Government has so far spent K70 million on the project for mobilising local resources and pre-feasibility studies. Government has also submitted proposals to various funding institutions such as the World Bank, European Union, and African Development Bank.
Government says after the feasibility study and with funding from various donors it will proceed with a hydrographic study and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) expected to be funded by the Common Market for the Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) at the tune of $500,000.
A short route to the sea will mean a significant cut in costs for Malawi’s imports and exports which are high due to equally high transport costs.
Malawi is said to have one of the highest transport costs in the world estimated to contribute 30 percent to costs of exports and 50 percent or above to import costs, representing about U$175 million total annual import bill which is currently growing at a rate of 7 to 8 percent annually.
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