BOSTWANA WELCOMES CONSTRUCTION OF THE KAZUNGULA BRIDGE

Kazungula pontoon - to be replaced by a bridge

Botswana says the construction of the Kazungula Bridge is a vital project that will connect the SADC region to the rest of the African continent.

High Commissioner to Zambia, Tuelonyana Oliphant says lack of a bridge in Kazungula had tremendously contributed to losses in terms of revenue, trade, commerce, damage to goods in transit and inconvenience to service delivery.
“Lack of a bridge in Kazungula has tremendously contributed to losses in terms of revenue, trade, commerce, damage to goods in transit and inconvenience to service delivery,” she said.
The High Commissioner said this in Kazungula District yesterday, when she inspected the site for the bridge.

Accompanying her was Southern Province Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary, Alfred, Chingi, Acting Kazungula District Commissioner, Muleya Siachinji and representatives from the African Development Bank (ADB).
She said Zambia and Botswana had both put high premiums in the Kazungula Bridge project due to its potential to enhance communication, trade and commerce in the region.
And ADB Country Representative for Zambia, Freddie Kwesiga said construction of the Kazungula Bridge could help Zambia achieve its vision of attaining middle income status even before 2030.
Dr Kwesiga attributed this to the possibility that the bridge would decrease trade barriers and promote regional integration.
He said despite pontoons being useful in the facilitation of traffic for people and vehicles through Kazungula, they are outdated and not safe to use.
“The technology of pontoons is outdated as it is from the early 1900s, and as such they are not safe and contribute to congestion of trucks at Kazungula border post,” he said.
Dr Kwesiga also said implementation of the Kazungula Bridge would create numerous opportunities for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
He said ADB was keen to address issues that were delaying the commencement of construction works for the bridge.
Meanwhile, Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Gladys Kristafor this morning said communication was a catalyst for development and as such pledged government’s commitment in ensuring implementation of the project was done effectively.
Mrs. Kristafor commended ADB for financing feasibility studies for construction of the bridge, which she said were expected to be completed by the end of this year.
And Mike Ormerod of EGIS BCEOM, the Consultant for the project said tourism activities were expected to increase once the bridge was completed.
Construction of the Kazungula Bridge is expected to cost over US$ 100 million and will include a railway component and ‘one stop’ border facilities on both the Zambian and Botswana side.
ZANIS