By: Bangwe Naviley Chisenga
Pics: DOD photography / Tom Njovu/ Smart Eagles
President Edgar Lungu and his Botswana counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi have commissioned the multimillion dollar Kazungula Bridge and One Stop Boarder facility.
African Union (AU) Chairperson and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Félix Tshisekedi graced the occasion in the attendance of Heads of State and Government among them SADC Chairperson and President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi and President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President of Namibia Nangolo Mbumba and Acting Prime Minister of Eswatini Themba Masuku.
African Union (AU) Chairperson and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Félix Tshisekedi said Kazungula Bridge Project was in tandem with the African Union (AU) Goals and Priority Areas of Agenda 2063 which called for a Prosperous Africa, based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.
Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairperson and President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi said the Project was in line with the SADC Infrastructure Development Master Plan to be implemented over three five-year intervals – short term (2012-2017), medium term (2017- 2022) and long term (2022- 2027).
Earlier, Zambia’s Republican President Edgar Lungu said Kazungula Bridge was a worthwhile monumental effort linking Zambia internally and externally to ease the movement of goods and services.
The Head of State said Zambia was yet to construct a similar bridge at Kasomeno – Mwenda Project in Mwense, Luapula Province, with joint efforts between Zambia and the DRC.
“I have held talks with my counterpart in Botswana that this project must run daily up to 22 hours as soon as possible and you the technocrats must not play pingpong with us after making these public pronouncements,” President Lungu said.
And President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi said his Country regarded Zambia as a key strategic partner in development adding that iconic Kazungula Bridge Project was a demonstration of the continued growing relations.
He said the route was historic as it was used as a safe exit during the struggle for independence.
Meanwhile, President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa congratulated Botswana and Zambia for a milestone project further reiterating that his country will join the project in the fullness of time.
At the same function, SADC Executive Secretary Stogomena Tax called for the expedition of hotspot infrastructure development projects in the region to serve as international gateways.
President Masisi started by officially opening the One Stop Boarder Post on the Botswanan side before President Lungu opened the One Stop Boarder Post on the Zambian side.
Earlier, After the function in Botswana, President Tshisekedi then proceeded to the middle of the Kazungula Bridge where he cut the ribbon signifying the official opening of the bridge to the public.
And when opening the One Stop Boarder facility on the Zambian Side, President Lungu was joined by his counterparts from the DRC, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
The 923 meters long rail and road Bridge in Kazungula District, Southern Province, is a bilateral project between Zambia and Botswana, co-financed by the two governments.
The Kazungula Bridge is expected to boost trade and commerce between the two countries.
The bridge will also increase economic activities and prospects of other land linked countries in the SADC region such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.
The bridge is also envisaged to improve border management operations at one stop border facilities on each side of the two countries.
It has further answered all the challenges imposed by the existing pontoon service that had been carrying a maximum of two trucks when crossing the Zambezi River.
(With extracts from ZNBC/ Phoenix/ RDA)
