ZIMBABWE is set to join Zambia and Botswana in the Kazungula Bridge project after the late former President Robert Mugabe’s government snubbed the project due to “donor influence”.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday joined his other
Sadc colleagues as a guest during the official opening of the bridge although
government officials claimed Harare co-owned the bridge together with Botswana
and Zambia.
Zambian and Botswana leaders Edgar Lungu and Mokgweetsi
Masisi, respectively, officiated at the event, with speeches by the two
governments mum on Zimbabwe’s role on the project.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, however, said
the project was snubbed by the Mugabe administration due to “donor influence”.
“The Kazungula Bridge had to curve after the first republic
in Zimbabwe objected to the project because of donor influence. With agreement,
the bridge would have been a lot shorter,” he said.
Charamba added that Zimbabwe re-joined the tri-national
Kazungula Bridge project after the second republic and was expected to meet a
third of the total cost of the facility to back up its stake.
“Negotiations are currently underway, and will entail
development of a border facility on the Zimbabwean side, as well as the
widening of the Kasane-Victoria Falls City Road. Victoria Falls city is a key
destination for the area.”
The project is meant to facilitate trade through reducing
transit time for freight and passengers and a reduction in time-based trade and
transport costs and improvement in border management operations arising from
the new one-stop border facility.
Speaking at the official opening of the Kazungula Bridge in
Zambia, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is committed to be part of the
massive project.
“This is a milestone achievement in our SADC region. I wish
to thank sincerely my brothers, President Masisi and President Lungu, who in
2018 invited Zimbabwe to be part of this project, indeed in the fullness of
time, Zimbabwe will be part of this project.
“I reiterate Zimbabwe’s commitment to be part of this
project for the benefit of our SADC region,” he said.
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