Kazungula Bridge rakes in millions for BURS
Pauline Dikuelo - Phatsimo Kapeng | Monday February 7, 2022 06:00
The revenues come as more long-haul traffic uses the new bridge built as an economic corridor connecting southern SADC to the northern parts of the region and beyond. The 923-metre bridge is a one-stop border post that has significantly reduced the amount of time cross-border traffic takes to pass between Botswana and Zambia, over the Zambezi River.
Commissioner General Jeanette Makgolo said the BURS anticipates collecting around P2.5 million in toll fees per month on average, helping to boost the country’s revenues.
“The toll fees have brought in an additional source of revenue to the country because before the bridge was opened, we were not collecting any toll fees,” she said during a recent tour of the bridge and other border facilities.
At present, BURS charges between P60 and P1,000 to cross the bridge, depending on the classification of the vehicle.
The bridge can handle an estimated 200 trucks per day, a huge improvement on the previous pontoon boat service that could carry only two trucks at a time. The bridge’s parking area on each side can accommodate 150 trucks.
The completion of a bridge has been hailed as a milestone for SADC’s regional integration and industrialisation endeavours as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which aims to boost intra-Africa trade.
Truck drivers have also hailed the completion of the bridge saying it provides a much-needed alternative route compared to the notorious Beitbridge border post between Zimbabwe and South Africa, which is perennially congested with vehicles queuing for days to cross.
Makgolo said the Bridge could enjoy even greater traffic if the roads linked to it were improved, adding that the BURS has engaged the Ministry of Transport and Communications in this regard. Analysts have said improving the dual lane Platjan Bridge and upgrading it to a one-stop border, could open up a crucial economic corridor, running through to Selebi Phikwe, Francistown and further to Kazungula, Livingstone and the northern half of SADC.
“Put a one-stop border post at Platjan with a good road and suddenly you have a major economic corridor that will be the shortest for goods traffic,” veteran SME policy advocate, Palalani Moitlhobogi told BusinessWeek recently. “Phikwe could turn into a logistics hub.”
Makgolo said discussions on improving the country’s borders were ongoing.
“We do have plans for more one-stop border posts. “Currently, we have the Pioneer Gate being built to be one of those and we are at an advanced stage of the construction. “There are plans for others yet to come. “We urge all stakeholders to come on board and play their part,” she said.