28 Jul 2014

Representatives from Botswana, Zambia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) met in Kasane on July 26 to assess developments made regarding the Kazungula Bridge project.

The project is co-sponsored by the two countries, with financial aid from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and AfDB. Present at the meeting were Botswana’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Nonofo Molefhi; President of the AfDB, Dr Donald Kaberuka and Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Mr Robert Sichinga.

In an interview, Minister Molefhi explained that the purpose of the meeting was to brief the AfDB representative on progress made thus far concerning the project and to appreciate preparations made at the project site.

He acknowledged that there had been delays to the project due to disagreements with some of the stakeholders.

For his part, Dr Kaberuka said he was happy that the two governments had undertaken the project as it would strengthen regional integration.“Traffic here goes beyond the Sothern African Development Community (SADC) region and as business has grown, so has traffic,” he explained.

He noted that pontoons (ferries) are limited as they can only transport a certain number of trucks, which causes traffic and delays, resulting in trucks queuing up to two weeks.

Dr Kaberuka reaffirmed the bank’s support to the Zambian government, adding that in a very short while, procurement will be done and civil works will begin. ENDS