By Morgen Makombo Sikwila
The transport sector has a vital role in fostering economic growth and advancing social development particularly in rail infrastructure.
The railroads have been developed in many developed countries in terms of improving the land transport technology and positively changing the movements of freight and passengers.
Zimbabwe needs to embark upon a rapid and far-reaching reform program that is designed around the broad public policy areas. The ambitious transitional reform program should recognize the need to sustainably reduce poverty in an inclusive manner so all citizens would benefit from the opening of the country and the associated projected rapid economic growth.
The government can develop a long term plan national development plan to that effect; sets out a detailed framework that is built around interconnecting strategic thrusts to achieve long term goal-to build a growing, diversified and sustainable economy and to ensure that inclusive growth and development is people centered.
Among Zimbabwe’s variety of transport modes, rail transport is suggested to provide the most efficient system in terms of energy saving, capacity, that is, transport of people and freight, and for optimizing transport costs thereby maximizing public budget efficiency and in-building competitiveness into the country.
National rail framework is very important for economic development in of income and opportunities. Rail transportation can be either a catalyst for cities in transition by attracting new businesses and facilitation for international service cities (competitiveness, attractive and highly accessible cities) by accommodating future growth.
In this regard, future public investments in rail transport at national levels should be developed with analyzing the demand forecast for rail transportation and for fostering an environment to support private sector engagements. In the context of development, infrastructure-especially in transport- rail is considered as being one of the most important component that enables a country to connect across countries and regions to transport commodities.
Zimbabwe is currently dependent upon road transportation. The most efficient and practiced methods of transporting bulk commodities is rail transportation. Thus, as a priority public policy, the government should heavily invest in developing new modern rail transportation interlinkages in towns.
This will in-turn lead to the attraction of workforce resulting in internal economic migration from rural areas to the new economic centers. The rapid economic growth will be driven in part by new infrastructure development.
Most natural resources and commodities transported between regions, countries and export destinations are reliant on road transportation. Inbuilt inefficiencies related to costs associated with time, scale of economy and loss of goods can be reduced through use of railway – based freight.
Lower service provision costs will be incurred by the government as heavy load capacities which rapidly damage road systems can be minimized. An efficient rail networks that combines containerized freight and passenger services enhances international competitiveness and support regeneration and development of regional economies. It also reduces pressure on land use.
Today the future of Zimbabwe’s rail transport system remains in the balance. Caution must be paid that the rail networks are fit for purpose in the context of socio-economic development.
With growing populations, major cities have to reinvent their urban transport systems looking towards mass transit and interlinked rail transportation to accommodate the current and future populations. City land needs to be fixed and in a majority of cases cannot be extended further beyond urban expansion of peri-urban territories.
With the Sustainable Developmental Goals number 3 (SDG3)which calls for a reduction of air contamination (especially in urban areas) a rail network provides alternative to the automobile, allowing more people in specific areas without increasing demand for roadways and parking.
The expansion and improvement of Rail network creates more jobs by connecting labor and business and activity centers in an efficient way. Rail transport reduces airborne pollution, save energy, minimizes the costs, eases congestion and carries more people and freight. It leads to decreased transition costs and expansion of the market, which leads to less volatility in terms of price of commodities.
L
Rail transport can spur the economic growth by increasing income due to the better access to work and amenities. Rail transport can play a valuable role in shaping and increasing the economic activities of the location since it uses little land, which is important for long-term economic development.
Rail operations can generate revenue and create synergy with other industries such as tourism, agriculture or mining. Railways can facilitate all forms of local development by providing access to people, information and employment opportunities.
Rail takes the important role in physical and economic development. The benefits of Rail transport are often contested and difficult recognized. Proponents and dissidents regularly dispute the tangible and intangible impact of rail transport.
Morgen Makombo Sikwila
MSc Peace and Governance
BSc Counselling
Diploma in Environmental Health Health
Certificate in Marketing Management
email: morgensikwilam@gmail.com
Phone Number: 0772823282
