CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF THE KAZUNGULA BRIDGE AND ONE STOP BORDER POST FACILITIES
The Kazungula Bridge Project is a joint project between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and the Government of the Republic of Zambia. The Project lies on the border between the two countries on the North- South Corridor ( NSC), a vital trade route in SADC. The project scope includes a bridge linking Botswana and Zambia over the Zambezi River to replace the existing ferry and One- Stop Border Post ( OSBP) facilities at Kazungula. The main objective of the development of the bridge is to improve the efficiency of transit traffic through the Kazungula border to facilitate and increase trade activities and global competitiveness of Zambia and Botswana; improve regional connectivity of the North South Corridor; and contribute to economic regional integration within the SADC region. The Kazungula Bridge Project is made up of 3 packages. Package 1 is the construction of a 923m long bridge. Package 2 is the construction of a One Stop Border Post facility and access road in Botswana, whereas Package 3 is the construction of a One Stop Border Post facility and access road in Zambia. The construction of the Bridge and One Stop Border Post facilities by Botswana and Zambia is projected to also significantly reduce freight and passengers transit time due to improved border management operations. Each OSBP package consists of a passenger terminal, vehicle passenger building, freight inspection building, truck transit offices ( entry and exit), health inspection building and veterinary offices among others. The packages also cater for internal circulation roads and parking facilities for buses, trucks and light motor vehicles as well as access roads to the new border posts. Package 2 of the One Stop Border Post and access road which is the Botswana side was funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JICA) at a cost of P440, million while Package 3 of Zambia was funded by the African Development Bank. JICA is preparing a Technical Cooperation project for customs officers of the Kazungula OSBP. The expected outcomes include: ( i) reduced border transit time; ( ii) improved procedures on trade facilitation; ( iii) improved border management operations, and consequently ( iv) increased traffic throughput and ( v) reduced time- based transport and trade cost. The one stop border post initiative is expected to boost trade and economic activities in the SADC region through smooth flow of goods and human traffic across the borders and reducing costs associated with movement of goods.