05 Jun 2019

Construction of the Okavango River bridge in Mohembo village is about one year and 10 months behind schedule.

Initially, the multi-million project, which commenced on November 8, 2016, was scheduled to be completed July 7.

Speaking at the opening session of the Okavango Sub-district Council meeting, the chairperson, Mr Mbahahauka Kambimba said the contractor had been requested to submit a revised programme with mitigation measures to catch up with the lost time.

Therefore, a revised completion date is March 3, 2020, while currently the project is 36.8 per cent complete.

In recent media briefings, project consultant, Mr Kobamelo Kgoboko attributed the delayed progress to some factors that included delay in mobilisation of the contractor’s site establishment as well as delay in drilling of additional boreholes for the foundation.

Other reasons for the delayed progress, Mr Kgoboko said, were challenges in obtaining licenses for borrow pits and challenging site conditions for additional Geotechnical investigations.

Nonetheless, the main items of the Mohembo bridge project encompass construction of the 400-metre long cable stayed bridge over the main channel, a 761-metre of steel girder bridge with concrete slab and construction of pedestrian walkways.

The project also comprises electrical installation and reticulation over the bridge, construction of about three kilometre approach road to bitumen standard and associated storm water drainage works.

Final works will include electrical installation and reticulation to the 1.161km long bridge and street lighting along the three kilometre approach road.

Upon completion, the sub-district council chairperson said the bridge would provide reliable access to services, most importantly health and education, among others, and also open up the district for future economic activities.

He said the bridge would also make it feasible for expansion of future road network and improve tourism in the area. ENDS