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New $40 million Birchenough Bridge also on the cards
Moses Matenga
MUTARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and the business community should stop playing cat and mouse games and work in harmony as they need each other to make the country prosper.
He was addressing the business community ahead of the Zanu PF star rally in Mutare, Friday.
“Zimra should make sure it understands business; business must also understand Zimra and we must facilitate each other to succeed. If we are going to penalize each other left, right and center we end up with no one to penalize. Fortunately, we have a young lady there (Faith Mazani, Director General) who is forward looking and quite progressive. I have no doubt she is going to catch up with the current mantra for business; business and economic growth,” he said.
The remarks from the President come after the business community had complained that the tax collector was being hard on business while on the other hand Zimra is continuously accusing business of tax evasion among other vices, depriving the country of millions in potential revenue.
Business people in Manicaland also stated to President Mnangagwa the need for an airport in the province to enhance its status in tourism and trade.
Mnangagwa said Manicaland airport was in the pipeline and one of the eight to be constructed soon. “This can be done. It can be done and it is there among the eight we are building,” he said.
On the construction of the Birchenough bridge, Mnangagwa said: “I am told if we are to repair Birchenough, we need $35 million and $40 million for a new one. A sane government would build a new bridge and we are a sane government. If we are going to say $40 million is coming from Chinamasa, if you wake him up the only thing he will say is he has no money. If we are going to bank on Chinamasa to build the bridge, it will take time.”
“Zimbabwe is open for business, we are going to find suitors to do the bridge immediately from the private sector and come up with a model where they get paid their money,” he said.
The construction of the new bridge, according to Manicaland business people was essential for trade and transportation of commodities.
The Birchenough Bridge structure used to be third longest single-arch bridge in the world, second only to the bridge over Sydney Harbour and to the Bayonne Bridge, New York. The total length of the Birchenough Bridge is 1 240 feet and the great arch that rises 280 feet above the river measures 1 080 feet between the foundation bearings.
