VIOLET MENGO
Lusaka
 |
IN an effort to enhance trade between Zambia and
Botswana, the construction of the Kazungula Bridge currently underway is poised
to bring a lot of benefits to the two countries.
The idea to construct the bridge started in 2007 when
the two governments announced a deal for its construction to replace the
existing ferry.
Today the bridge is almost a reality.
A lot of expectation awaits the completion of the
bridge which will among other things enhance trade between Zambia and Botswana.
It will also promote regional integration in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) region.
Construction works started in 2014 by Daewoo
Engineering and Construction of South Korea who has been engaged to erect the
railroad bridge across the Zambezi River at a cost of US$259.3 million.
The Kazungula Bridge and Border Project (KBBP) entails
the implementation of new infrastructure to replace the existing ferry and
border facilities between Zambia and Botswana at Kazungula.
The project comprises the construction of rail Road
Bridge with a span of 932 meters over the river Zambezi; border facilities in
each country and approximately 10 km of bridge approach and access roads.
The construction is financed by Japanese International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Africa Development Bank through a loan.
For Zambia, the construction of the bridge will see
the transformation of Kazungula district which has over the years seen very
little development in terms of infrastructure development.
Kazungula district has the potential to attract
tourists because of its locality bordering Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
President Edgar Lungu and his Botswanan counterpart
Lieutenant-General Ian Khama were recently in Kazungula to inspect the project.
The two Heads of State were impressed by the quality
of workmanship and are eager to see the project to its completion.
“Once completed the Kazungula Bridge will enhance
regional integration that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has
embarked on,” said President Lungu, referring to the much talked about regional
integration in the Southern African development block.
SADC has adopted a regional development integration
approach which seeks to address production, infrastructure and efficiency
barriers to growth and development.
This is out of the realisation that regional economic
integration remains a viable development strategy for Africa, a continent
characterised by small economies and markets.
 | |
| President Lungu and his Botswana counterpart Kharma |
The region hopes integration of the markets can
facilitate efficiencies in production, investment and trade, thus enhancing
development outcomes.
President Edgar Lungu has said the two Governments
will stick to the promise they have given to their people to complete the
construction of Kazungula Bridge.
“If Zambia and Botswana succeeds, there will be more
trade in the region and beyond,” said explained President Lungu. “This project
is not only for Botswana and Zambia, but it is intended to invite and excite
investment from outside so that Africans can begin to trade among themselves.
This bridge is a mark of bonding between Zambia and Botswana in trade, economic
growth and prosperity for our people,” added the Head of state.
He pledged to continue monitoring progress of the
Kazungula project to ensure successful completion within the stipulated
timeframe.
“We will stick to the time we have given ourselves to
execute the project,” he said.
The project which was scheduled to be completed in
December 2016 has been extended to be completed in 2019.
The construction of the bridge comes at a time when
experts on trade have advised that Africa needs to invest in infrastructure for
faster economic growth.
And on his part, Botswana President, Lt .Gen. Khama
echoed his counterpart’s sentiments on the importance of the bridge not only to
the two countries but the region as whole.
He said the project is expected to facilitate quick
movement of products within the region and increase opportunities for intra and
regional trade activities.
To him, the completion of the bridge will be the best
example of regional integration being promoted by SADC.
In terms of job creation, the project has employed 640
workers, comprising 542 locals and 98 expatriates.
The Kazungula project which has been in the making for
over a decade will transform the economy of Kazungula and the country too.
Pontoons currently being used on the Zambezi River are
inadequate to meet the increased traffic demand.
Once completed, the bridge will make trade within the
SADC region and beyond, more endurable and less expensive, as compared to the
current situation in which truck drivers spend nights in queues waiting for the
pontoons to ferry them across the river.
Some of the trucks carry perishable goods destined for
distant customers, and it is a nightmare for the drivers to watch days and
nights pass before they can cross to the other side of the river.
A truck driver Peter Lukwesha highlighted that the
completion of the Kazungula Bridge will quicken the movement of goods and
services in the region as compared to the current scenario where they spend
weeks at the border posts.
