Harare — Two Harare-based companies -- Nyika Engineering and Technical Services and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries -- are setting up a factory to manufacture steel bridges in Kadoma following a successful barter deal in which the council offered land in exchange for two Madza BT50 single cab trucks.

The steel bridges would be used on the country's highways across rivers and in flood-prone areas to evacuate people and livestock.

The two companies signed the deal with Kadoma mayor Councillor Peter Matambo and exchanged the trucks with the piece of land, which is along the Bulawayo Road, on Wednesday in Kadoma. Nyika Engineering and Technical Services chief executive officer Mr Charles Mudimu said the two companies had decided on the business after realising that that such a service was not offered in Zimbabwe.

The favourable investment atmosphere and accessibility and centrality of Kadoma also played a part in the choice of investment destination.

"We want to provide services to maintain the country's steel bridges such as Victoria Falls, Chirundu, Beitbridge and Birchenough bridges," he said.

He said his company wants to promote the construction of steel bridges across Zimbabwe's rivers, adding that many people were only familiar with concrete bridges which he said were expensive and took longer to construct.

"These steel bridges will give the same results as conventional bridges in terms of durability, reliability, safety, strength and load-carrying capacity," said Mr Mudimu.

He said steel bridges could be used for different purposes such as in emergencies, military operations, housing development, crossing points for schoolchildren, access points for remote communities to clinics, bring farming produce to markets and permanently on highways.

"We believe that the proposed project will have a significant impact not only on Kadoma but nationally as well. The project will facilitate the opening-up to development of vast areas of the country which remain inaccessible.

"It will give new life to our communities living in flood-prone areas as the bridges to be produced will be used in emergencies to evacuate and facilitate rapid movement of communities in emergencies," he said. Clr Matambo said Nyika Engineering had taken advantage of the city's favourable investment climate.

"My council will endeavour to give you all the necessary support to enable your business to grow," he said.

Chief executive of Zimbabwe Defence Industries Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube attended the handover ceremony that was also witnessed by senior council officials and councillors.