Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia work on study for Shire river port
Transport minister Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia on Friday signed terms of reference (TOR) for a full feasibility study of the Shire-Zambezi Waterway Project whose report shall be the basis for further resource mobilisation to develop the river port project in Malawi’s southern district of Nsanje.
Malawi Transport, Public Works and Housing Minister Henry Chimunthu Banda said the TOR will guide the feasibility study in areas of socio-economic impact assessment, total project assessment, enviromental impact assessment, full market analysis and analysis of alternative route from Nsanje to Chinde.
\"The feasibility study, which will build on earlier studies, is an important component in the project because it will tell us how possible it is to navigate the waters in our respective countries,\" he said.
Banda added that the study will also make an informed decision on the future of the project considering its social, environmental, economic and political implications on the lives of people, most importantly the local communities along the affected areas.
The minister announced a total contribution of one million US dollar from the his government to support further works on the project.
The contribution adds to the US$500,000 that the European Union (EU) provided through the Common Market for Southern Africa (COMESA) towards the project.
In their remarks, Zambia Transport and Communications Minister Sara Sayifwanda, and a representative for Mozambique, Jose Lorenzo, said the agreement is a step towards the actual implementation of the project which the three countries have been anxiously waiting for.
However, the feasibility study is expected to commence in June 2008 and will be completed by February 2009.
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