'Kazungula Bridge to be constructed through Namibia'

'Kazungula Bridge to be constructed through Namibia'
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe, Jack Zimba and Ernest Chanda
Tuesday July 29, 2008 [04:00]

ZAMBIA and Botswana have abandoned the initial plan of constructing the Kazungula Bridge through Zimbabwe, works and supply minister Kapembwa Simbao announced yesterday. Briefing the press at his office, Simbao said the bridge would be constructed through the Namibian waters. He however said the move would push the cost of constructing the bridge, as it would lengthen the bridge from the initial 720 metres to about 900.

“The feasibility study has been commissioned with immediate effect and is expected to last for about 12 months and would be undertaken by BCOM Muller at a cost of about 2.4 million Euros and would be funded by the African Development Bank,” Simbao said.

“Following the problem that we had under the initial tripartite arrangement involving Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, I am glad that Namibia has allowed us (Botswana and Zambia) to use their waters.”

Separately, foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande has called on Zambia’s bilateral and multilateral partners to expand their levels of contact and cooperation.

Speaking yesterday when he handed over diplomatic exequatur to Mamadou Kouyate and Rekha Parmar of Mali and Mauritius respectively, Pande said it was important that Zambia related in many other areas with other countries.

An exequatur is an official recognition by a government of a consul, agent, or other representative of a foreign state, authorising them to exercise the duties of office.

“Since Zambia shared a lot of common aspirations with most of its cooperating partners, it was necessary that levels of contacts and cooperation through cultural and economic exchanges were expanded,” said Pande.

Mamadou Kouyate has been recognised as the Honourary Consul designate of the Republic of Mali to Zambia, while Rekha Parmar is now the Honourary Consul designate of the Republic of Mauritius to Zambia.