Botswana & Zambia meet on Kazangula Bridge

source: Republic of Botswana (9/5/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 13 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"

C15) 6/5/09: Botswana & Zambia meet on Kazangula Bridge

The Minister of Works and Transport Hon. Johnnie Swartz and his counterpart in Zambia will receive a project scope briefing on the Kazungula Bridge on the 8th May 2009 in Lusaka, Zambia.

The ferry crossing of the Zambezi River at Kazungula constitutes one of the last remaining physical constraints on a vital part of the north-south corridor linking South Africa through Botswana with Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the larger Central Africa.

The envisaged bridge will replace the ferry that currently accommodates a substantial number of cars and trucks from throughout the region. The present capacity is about 30 trucks in each direction per day.

The bridge is of strategic importance to the economic integration of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and is considered a priority by the Governments of Botswana and Zambia and is supported by the SADC Secretariat. A feasibility study was done in 2001 on replacing the ferry with a bridge and improving the border facilities.

Based on the findings and recommendations of the feasibility, Egis Bceom International (Consultants) was appointed by the governments of Zambia and Botswana on 24th July 2008 to complete the detail design and documentation necessary for the construction of these facilities.

On the 14th November 2008, the scope of the project was changed to include realignment of the bridge and to investigate the inclusion of the railway line in the project. When completed, as already stated, the bridge will bring huge economic returns for the two countries involved, the rest of the region and indeed for the larger part of the African continent.

Hon. Swartz delegation leaves on the 7th and returns on the 9th May 2009.

For further information please contact the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Works and Transport, Charles Keikotlhae at: 3971360.