10 Sep 2020

The bridge component of the Kazungula Bridge project is anticipated to be completed by the end of this month.

The project team leader consultant, Mr Kobamelo Kgoboko told the Chobe leadership during a tour of the project on Wednesday, that the contractor was working on the finishing touches such as painting of the cables and minor works on the 2km railway facility, which is in the middle of the bridge.

He said while the bridge was 10 months beyond its revised completion date of September 05, it was still within budget.

He said the cost of the bridge, which was the first of its kind in Botswana, was estimated at P1.8 billion.

Mr Kgoboko clarified that while the bridge accommodated both the rail and road modes of transport, the two could not be used simultaneously.

He said the vehicles would be cleared before the train is allowed to use the facility.

He explained that the proposed Mosetse-Livingstone railway line would be connected just outside the bridge with the 2km line in the bridge.

Mr Kgoboko further told the leadership that at the completion of the bridge, a small production record on the construction process for the entire five years duration would be produced for future referencing.

Furthermore, he said the P440 million Botswana One Stop Border Post (OBSP), which was the second package of the project would be handed over in the first two weeks of October.

The OBSP facility will accommodate both the Botswana and Zambian immigration and customs officials and unlike the current arrangement, travelers entering Botswana would only stop once for travel formalities.

In an interview with BOPA at the end of the tour, Chobe district council chairperson, Councillor Amos Mabuku said the completion of the bridge was a challenge to the community and the political representatives to ponder on how small business people could take advantage of it.

He said the bridge would bring many opportunities such as having a market to sell curios and for the transport industry as people would need taxis from Kasane to the border and even across.

He noted that challenges such as drowning and goods using ferries would become a thing of the past.

Councillor Mabuku said he will engage with the Livingstone Mayor on how the people of the two municipalities could further take advantage of the development.

The council chairperson appreciated the Botswana and Zambian governments for the bridge and applauded all Batswana, who took part in the construction.

Kgosi Morgan Makhanga of Kazungula noted that the completion of the bridge would ease movement for citizens of the two countries, who have relatives on either sides. ENDS