Monday, November 11, 2024

Zambia and DRC sign MOU to build Kasomeno – Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project

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The Kasomeno - Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project
The Kasomeno – Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project

 

The Kasomeno – Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project will finally be taking off after the governments of the Republic of Zambia and The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the project.

Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale who signed on behalf of Zambia noted the social-economic benefits that the project will offer to both Zambia and DRC.

He cited the creation of direct and indirect jobs, decongestion of Kasumbalesa Border Post, direct revenue for the two countries, enhanced border security and improved trade.

He said the project which was a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) will be done on the build – operate and hand over to the two governments.

He said the project was the only in Africa combining a one-stop border facility road, bridge, airstrip and tolling facilities at the same time.

Mr. Mwale heaped praise on the Heads of State for the two nations for showing political will in the implementation of the project.

Mr. Mwale also saluted technical officials and the concessioner GED Africa for working tirelessly to actualize the signing ceremony.

And Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa said the Kasomeno Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project was a game-changer.

Mr. Chilangwa expressed happiness and described the signing ceremony as a huge breakthrough following an almost 10-year wait.

Mr. Chilangwa also noted that the investment by GED Africa and Dunna Aszfalt in the project which was both European countries was a sign that Europe had faith in the economies of both Zambia and DRC.

The DRC Vice Premier and Minister of Infrastructure Sunzhel Ngoopos led the Congolese delegation at the signing ceremony.

Mr. Sunzhel signed on behalf of his country while GED Africa Chief Executive Officer Rene Hutton – Mills signed on behalf of his company.

The Road Development Agency and it’s Congolese Equivalent also signed the MoU.

 

Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale with DRC Vice Premier and Minister of Infrastructure Sunzhel Ngoopos at the signing ceremony
Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale with DRC Vice Premier and Minister of Infrastructure Sunzhel Ngoopos at the signing ceremony
Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale with DRC Vice Premier and Minister of Infrastructure Sunzhel Ngoopos at the signing ceremony
Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale with DRC Vice Premier and Minister of Infrastructure Sunzhel Ngoopos at the signing ceremony
The Kasomeno - Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project
The Kasomeno – Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project
The Kasomeno - Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project
The Kasomeno – Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project

14 COMMENTS

  1. The Vice-Premier looks like Antonio Mumba aka Kofi Olomide. Anyway I hope we don’t get two broke fellas waiting for things to happen. You were lucky with the Kazungula Bridge because Botswana took up your burden. Muzalipila liti pela? Kose-kose ni nkongole cabe.

  2. Zambian citizen ubufontini, don’t think you have arrived building a flyover in some of these remote places meanwhile Lusaka which desperately needs them has barely any. Tell us the costs you will be shocked how they inflated everything so they can eat

  3. Building roads and bridges leading to nowhere. The day a dual carriage way would be belt from Livingstone to Solwezi, Zambian would be on its way path to development.

    • @Alibaba, You think Private Investors would put their money if the road leads to nowhere? The only worry is that they could inflate costs to prolong payback period and avoid paying due taxes!!

  4. Excellent! Luapula province will soon be transformed with all the traffic and trade expected in the area. Not to mention employment opportunities for locals. This will pull hotels and real estate development as well. A foreign concessioner does not invest unless the numbers show a healthy investment. This development will compete with kazangula bridge in terms of viability. Congratulations Mr President and your administration

  5. @China: Lusaka is getting flyover roads being built from Kafue Road right now. Oh, your upnd misinformers hid it from you??

  6. How can you talk of a build – operate contract without specifying the terms and when it will be handed over. You can not even ask how much his contract is worth? Look at your colleagues at
    allafrica.com/stories/201802090170.html

    their article tells you its worth $475 million and the distance of the road is 187 kms gives you the details of the bank involved. Zambian and DRC govts should be ashamed of themselves they can not provide basic security for our truckers on the current road but are happy to run to sign papers which will increase the cost of doing business. They have sold off the border post now this.

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