Kazungula Bridge poised to boost regional integration in SADC

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.