Gov't injects P100m into Kasane-Kazungula project
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday May 30, 2022 06:00
The funds which are going to be sourced from the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Computerisation programme will be channelled into the implementation of the spatial development proposals contained in the Kasane-Kazungula re-development plan to create a new tourism destination.
The project has been identified as a prime tourism destination in terms of growth potential by diversifying the economy and creating jobs in the tourism sector.
“As such a decision was made to explore opportunities for maximising the tourism potential of the area as well as diversify the tourism product to include other activities besides game viewing,” reads the report on the Estimates of Expenditure from the Consolidated and Development Funds.
Initially the project was established to improve road connectivity and streetscape, improve sanitation within the township and along river banks, as well as review the current development to make it more tourism-oriented.
The project is also intended to position the area in readiness for the Kavango, Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Park Initiative (KAZA).
The project is being implemented through a Coordinating Office established within the Ministry in 2019 known as the Kasane/Kazungula re-development Agency (KKRA).
It has been reported that the project has made some progress as three of the four project milestones have been completed including the completion of an integrated Waste Management Plan for Kasane/Kazungula. The plan was done in conjunction with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Department of Energy and Chobe District Council. All the land planning for infrastructure upgrading in Kazungula are said to be complete and private property owners have been compensated.
However the project, which was established to diversify the tourism product in that area, has also faced some several challenges which included shortage of funds and lack of specialised personnel.
The project was conceptualised in 2012 after the Botswana Economic Advisory Council advised the then Ministry of Environment Natural Resources and Tourism to develop an integrated tourism strategy for that area.
Last year, another milestone was achieved in the Kasane-Kazungula area as the 923-metre Kazungula bridge was officially opened.
The bridge has also been hailed as a milestone for the SADC’s regional integration and industrialisation endeavours as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) which aims to boost intra-Africa trade.
Nine months in operation, Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) raked in P18 million in toll fees at the bridge.
The 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.
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.