04 Feb 2016

Government will start the construction of the P1 billion bridge across Okavango River in Mohembo, which will connect villages on the east of the river with the rest of the country.    

The deputy director in the Roads Department, Ms Kgakgamatso Kalasi said this in an interview during the tour of the project site in Mohembo recently.

She said the design and engineering for the bridge was revised in 2009, unfortunately it was postponed because of the latest world economic recession.

However she said government has put the project back on the agenda as the economic growth continues to gather momentum.

This week, after years of relentless pressure from residents on both sides of the Okavango River, government has finally secured funds for the project.

On another point, Ms Kalasi said the iconic 1.2 kilometre Cable Stayed and Incrementally Launched Bridge will  become the country’s landmark upon completion.

On major issues that often impact on the implementation of projects such as the sourcing of earth materials, she said they have lined up methods to ensure that the contractor will not lose a lot of time acquiring certain rights such as burrow pits.

“”This time, the department has not only identified and secured burrow pits licenses, but also carried-out the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment and contractors will just apply for the mining rights,’ she said.

A project of this magnitude she said requires highly dedicated experience and capable civil engineering company.

However, following the adoption of the Citizen Economic Empowerment policy, citizen contractors are also expected to participate.

The deputy director said if everything goes according to plan, the tender for the contsruction will be awarded by the end of March this year, while the actual construction is anticipated to commence during the course of the next financial year.

Giving a word of appreciation, the Member of Parliament for Okavango, Bagalatia Arone said he welcomed the development, adding that the bridge will not only ease the movement of people and goods across the river, but will also unlock the economic potential of the whole area. ENDS