By Tichaona Kurewa
THE Government is exploring the possibility of joining the Kazungula Bridge Project with the feasibility study set to commence in the first quarter of next year.
Joining the Kazungula Bridge Project (KBP) is expected to come with several benefits including boosting trade and tourism in Zimbabwe while also expediting the movement of goods and travellers in the SADC region.
“Zimbabwe is set to join the Kazungula Bridge as per the agreement of the three presidents of the three countries, which is Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. We are just carrying out the administrative work that we need in order to actualise the agreement of our presidents,” said Engineer Theodius Chinyanga, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
“As to how much Zimbabwe will pay to join Botswana and Zambia, which is work in progress as we are currently going through the numbers and awaiting our colleagues through the joint technical team on the project to finish off the numbers, the cost pertaining to the bridge and the cost of associated works that will enable the function of the bridge.
“Once that is given it will be shared with the nation.)The feasibility study will commence on the tenth of January 2022 as the agreed commencement date. The contract was signed and the site was handed over to the consultant.”
The infrastructure will include a three-country one-stop border post.
“This will be a three-country one-stop border post, what that means is that the feasibility study by the consultant will also include the detailed design and redesign of the building infrastructure of the other two countries that had completed their work then will also include the design of the border post building for Zimbabwe to include the other two countries to make it a one-stop border post for the three countries.
The bridge, which is on the Zambezi River upstream of Victoria Falls, is currently co-owned by Botswana and Zambia.
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