The detailed map shows for the first time the actual
location of a
proposed deep-water port and industrial tax-free zone planned to be built by a private
consortium,
Porto Dobela Development, in southern Mozambique, 20 km north of Ponta do Ouro. Although it is still in the concept stage, the proposed development includes a
rail-served industrial park and low
impact but
upmarket eco-tourism development node within the vast concession area along a
magnificent stretch of coastline and around Lake Piti
Terry Hutson
DETAILS OF plans to develop a new deep-water port and industrial tax-free zone in southern Mozambique (FTW 20 August 1999) have been made available to FTW.
The proposed port will be 20 km north of the border village of Ponta Do Ouro and 85 km south of Maputo. The $500 million project is situated within the Maputo Corridor but is set outside the Maputo Elephant Reserve and well south of the eco-sensitive Lake Piti.
Environmentalists say they fear the destruction of this pristine stretch of coastline between the newly declared St Lucia World Heritage Site and the elephant reserve.
However, Glen Martin, former port manager at Richards Bay and now adviser to the project consortium, dismisses their fears. He maintains the 20 000 hectare site is clear of both the elephant reserve and the sensitive lake.
What is proposed near Ponta Dobela will in fact open up a magnificent wilderness area along a vast stretch of the eastern seaboard from Richards Bay to Inhaca Island.
He disclosed that the largest terminal and port along the east coast of Southern Africa would include offshore banking facilities linked with an exclusive tourist development covering the central and northern area of the concession.
The developers have committed themselves to being enormously responsible with this project, to avoid at all costs its over-exploitation and to turn it into a world-class eco-tourism destination on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Africa, he said.
With the completion soon of the Lubombo corridor road between Hluhluwe and Ponta Do Ouro and improved access up the Maputo Corridor to Maputo city, tourists would have access from the Maputaland coast right the way up to Inhaca and across to the Kruger Park.
Martin said that the harbour would be designed primarily to handle bulk ores, railed in from South Africa, although the plan included a passenger terminal. The new port would become a gateway to tourism in the southern Mozambique region.
This would provide major economic spin-offs for the villages of Ponta Do Ouro and Zitundo, on the main road to Maputo, he said. One could not wish for a better site or position for a deep-water harbour and industrial zone on the scale of what is proposed. There are very few places that have such potential.
An environmental impact assessment, which complies with the toughest international standards, is being carried out. This process is due to be completed by the end of March 2000. The harbour will take about five years to build.
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