The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) which consists officials from the governments of Botswana and Zambia is expected to meet before end of this month to conclude outstanding issues related to the establishment of the Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA).
The Kazungula Bridge Authority was expected to have been in place by the end of September 2024. However, this was not achieved because of the postponement of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) meeting due to the preparations of the general elections in Botswana.
This was revealed by Chobe District Council Chairman Johane Chenjekwa during the full council meeting that was held in Kasane last week.
According to Chenjekwa, the Member States are in the process of tender adjudication of the Design and Build of the additional works entailing expansion of the bridge approach lanes and additional One Stop Border Post (OBSP) works. Once procured, Chenjekwa noted that these works are expected to create jobs for the local people and service providers.
Botswana and Zambia signed the Bilateral Agreement on the establishment of the Kazungula Bridge Authority on 27th March 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia. They also agreed that the headquarters of the Kazungula Bridge Authority will be in Kazungula, Botswana and that Zambia will hold the position of the Executive Director in perpetuity.
Botswana has secured land in Kazungula for the construction of the KBA offices and the institutional /staff houses. The Kazungula Bridge Authority will be operational after the appointment of the Executive Director, the Kazungula Bridge Board of Directors and the Kazungula Bridge Council of Ministers.
In connection with the guidelines on tourism and events at the Kazungula Bridge and waterfront tourism development, Chenjekwa said the Project Office continues to facilitate various institutions and individuals who request to use the bridge for other purposes such as leisure and tourism.
“The Member States developed and signed guidelines on tourism and events at the bridge. However, these guidelines have not been implemented pending agreed fees by the Member States. Currently the bridge visits and events are at no cost until the Member States agree on the fees,” he said.
However, Chenjekwa has revealed that the consultations between the ministries responsible for tourism and the ministries responsible for the Kazungula Bridge are ongoing on the implementation of the said guidelines. Chenjekwa has further noted that the Heads of State Summit that was held in Kasane last year shared the idea on the development of the waterfront tourism near the Bridge with Zambia of which Zambia expressed interest and willingness to participate and to benchmark.
He said that the issue is also being addressed by the Ministries responsible for tourism of the member states. Chenjekwa stated that their expectation is that these developments will boost the local economies, and the positive externalities of the Kazungula Bridge will be realised beyond trade facilitation which was the primary objective for its construction.
