Masisi updates on Kazungula bridge construction
Ryder Gabathuse | Tuesday April 2, 2019 12:35
Speaking at his presidency’s first anniversary held at the Cresta Marang Hotel on Monday evening, Masisi declared: “I go to Zambia on behalf of the people of Francistown and you people who live within the proximity of the city of Francistown. You all know we are constructing a bridge at Kazungula at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers”.
So, Masisi indicated that he was going to Zambia to ensure that the bridge project runs undisturbed, as there have been challenges relating to paying the contractor on site.
“I am going to talk to President Lungu and I am the one who proposed the meeting. I recently sent Minister of Transport and Communications, Dorcas Makgato as my special envoy and had written to President Lungu requesting him to pay his dues so that the project could finally be completed.”
The President told the meeting: “It’s true that the contractor had stopped works due to non-payments by the Zambian government. Botswana government has fully paid and owes nothing at all.”
Because there are complaints relating to the project, Masisi indicated that there was a need to iron out the differences. He highlighted that this was a joint project with the government of Zambia and indicated that the government of Zimbabwe wants to be part of the project. He indicated that it was not too late for Zimbabwe to be part of the project emphasising that every participating nation must pay its dues.
“It’s strategic for us to do this together as it eliminates the risks as those people who pose a risk for the project are the neighbours,” he said. Masisi told the audience that included legislators, civic leaders, businesspeople, former legislators, civic leaders and retired senior civil servants that the more they can get people to own the project it minimises inherent risks.
“That’s why the institutional marriage was put into place to reduce all the manner of risks.”
He also highlighted the construction of the railway line, “Which I went to China to solicit funds for a loan for the construction of such a major project. First the feasibility study must be done so that the railway line will start in earnest from Mosetse village”.
He was excited that the construction of the railway line is for the benefit of the people of Francistown and the city.
“That’s the government stepping ahead to do its part. We are going to rebuild the road enroute to Kazungula and the Nata-Maun stretch,” Masisi said indicating that they have sourced funds for the road projects, which include the Nata-Mohembo and Sehithwa stretch.
He encouraged Francistowners to market their city for its greatness citing what he called the vibrant, independent, credible and respected judiciary.
“You should also note the potential for tourism, even old mines tourism, which is incredible and I have been discussing this with the relevant minister Kitso Mokaila,” he said and added: “We are a society that is growing and I just thought for this anniversary, I should come here and share a moment with you”.