South Africa mostly carrying copper are stranded at Kazungula border
post in Southern Proviince as authorities from Botswana site are not
allowing due to enter their country fears of Ebola in DRC.
Some drivers are now planning to back to Livingstone and try to use
the Victoria Falls border post on the Zimbabwe route to South Africa
Hundreds of trucks on both sides of the Zambezi River are marooned at Kazungula border following the breaking down of the only pontoon on the Botswana side.
ZANIS reports that Long queues of trucks were found this afternoon as there is only one pontoon which has remained functional for a period of about two weeks.
Some lorry drivers disclosed in separate interviews that they have spent about 12 days waiting for their chance to cross the river through the one ferry facility which is being used to transport both people and motor vehicles.
Given Mwamba, a Zambian truck driver said that he has spent 12 days on the queue on the Botswana side and is unsure of the period he will spend on the queue before crossing the river.
Mr. Mwamba said the prolonged stay on the queues has become dangerous as there are no sanitation facilities available for truck drivers to use especially in the night.
He expressed worry that should the situation continue some truck drivers may lose their lives to wild animals in the process of answering the call of nature in the bush.
He has since appealed to the authorities to hasten the construction of Kazungula Bridge, which is expected to ease the movements of goods and people across the Zambezi River.
Meanwhile Construction of Kazungula Bridge across the Zambezi River is in full swing though the completion date has been pushed to October 2019 due to technical challenges.
Project Consultant Michael Lear said the project which has employed over 1,200 people from Botswana and Zambia is progressing well adding that the change of completion timeframe will not affect the projected project cost.
Mr. Lear said the contractor will ensure the works are done as planned by the two countries who are the financiers of the project.
And Road Development Agency Director for Corporate Affairs Masuzyo Ndhlovu said the Zambian government is impressed with progress of the works of the 923 meters long bridge.
Mr. Ndhlovu said currently the project is at 55 percent and that a huge number of Zambians amounting to 750 have been engaged in the construction of the bridge which is package one.
He said the second and third packages of the project include the construction of the one-stop-border posts on either sides of the river for Zambia and Botswana to further ease clearance of people and goods.
Okay…
Construction of the bridge was deliberately delayed because Batswana thought they were too sexy to interact with makwerekwere
With all the trucks that cross thats a lot of money in fares but 5 ferries are now broken now no revenue, have the useless Zambian govt owned ferry company not done maintenance and now the 2nd biggest crossing in Zambia is loosing millions a day because of incompetence. typical Zambia
Good developmental initiative. Those that have vowed not to watch ZNBC should rethink and get back on board. ZNBC highlights govt projects around the country and make you appreciate what is going on in country side. Unfortunately other media houses are just busy insulting Edgar and seeing him hiding behind every shrub.
Time for a bridge is now. We’re not in the 1900s
But is construction of the bridge a short term solution to this problem?
this bridge was delayed because of i dear old friend Robert from Zim……but really they should fix that pantoon asap image the terrible conditions for the poor drivers
This is how laid back we are 12 days and everyone is sitting on their hands depending on one machine!!