10 Jun 2019

 Construction of the 155 metre long Platjaan Bridge is expected to improve trade between Selebi Phikwe Econonomic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) region and South Africa.

The bridge was a result of bilateral agreement between Botswana and South Africa, where Botswana committed to the construction of a bridge across the Limpopo River near Mathathane while South Africa agreed to construct one across Notwane River near Ramotswa.

SPEDU Regional Business Voice Association chairperson, Dr Baboloki Manake, said in an interview that the bridge would not only ease travel across the two borders, but also support further development of agro business in the Tuli Block.

The P1014m project financed by Botswana and the European Union, suffered a setback as a result of poor acquisition of materials. The project, which was awarded to Estate Construction Company, stands at 85 per cent, would be completed by August.

Dr Manake said prior to the construction, goods and services entered the country through Martins Drift and benefited areas outside the SPEDU region adding that the bridge would help decongest the busy Martins Drift border post.

The Platjaan bridge, he said, was of strategic importance to the SPEDU region in that it was the nearest border post to the region hence would minimise distance travelled to access goods and services across the two borders.

However, he said the challenge now was the untarred Lekkerport-Platjaan road, and requested that it be tarred to ease movement.

The company’s resident engineer, Mr Gideon Msakwa said the project suffered a set-back due to logistics on acquisition of local material, which forced them to source material from South Africa.

“The project was supposed to start January last year, but we ended up starting in May last year,” he said

However, Mr Msakwa stated that the company was working round the clock to meet the new completion date of August 13.

He said the two borders usually closed during heavy rains when the bridge was submerged in water.

“This new bridge is so high that the Limpopo river water level will not reach it so, the borders will be open throughout the year,” he stated.

The project was earmarked for commencement in 2014 under the Department of Roads but SPEDU took over its facilitation in 2016. ENDS