Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter

The GOVERNMENT has mobilized funds to carry out detailed engineering studies for the construction of the Kazungula Bridge One Stop Border Post (OSBP), which will serve Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana as part of the Kazungula tri-national border crossing.

Kazungula Bridge Consultants issued a statement on Wednesday calling for public participation in the environmental and social impact assessment of the project following the mobilization of funds by the government to carry out the technical designs.

“The public is hereby informed that the Government of Zimbabwe has mobilized funds for the purpose of carrying out a detailed engineering design for the construction of the Kazungula Bridge One Stop Border Post to serve Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana in part of the Kazungula Tri-National Border Crossing,” the statement read.

It is expected that upon completion, the Kazungula Bridge Tri-National OSBP will promote socio-economic development in the three countries and throughout the sub-region, thereby creating wealth and alleviating poverty in line with the Millennium Development Goals. development of the United Nations (UN). .

The facility is also expected to reduce congestion at the Beitbridge border post, touted as the busiest regional inland port of entry via Zimbabwe. Cargo and passenger transit time is also expected to be significantly reduced due to improved border management operations resulting from OSBP facilities.

Kazungula Bridge Consultants stated that the construction of the OSBP facility is likely to cause negative environmental impacts such as land use change, loss of vegetation, loss of bird habitat, wildlife disturbance and loss of aesthetic value, among others.

“In accordance with the laws of the Botswana Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act No. 6 of 2005, Section 7 (1) and (2) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act No. 12 of 2011 Environmental Management of Zambia, read with EIA SI Regulations No. 28 of 1997 and the Zimbabwe Environmental Management (EIA and Ecosystems Protection) Regulations SI No.7 of 2007, the consultants plan to hold consultation meetings in the project area as part of the ESIA process in order to present the project to interested and affected parties in order to obtain overall views and expectations on the proposed project,” the statement read.

Consultative meetings will be held tomorrow at Chinotimba Community Hall in Victoria Falls.

In May last year, President Mnangagwa joined his Botswana and Zambian counterparts, Presidents Mokgweetsi Masisi and then-incumbent Edgar Lungu at the official opening of the $259 million Kazungula Bridge across the river. Zambezi and one-stop border post facilities linking Botswana and Zambia.

The Kazungula Bridge and OSBP is a key regional integration project that is expected to improve Southern Africa’s access to international markets through connectivity with major seaports. The bridge provides a vital link between neighboring Botswana and Zambia, with Zimbabwe set to be a major beneficiary.

The opening of the bridge and the operationalization of the OSBP is seen as a giant step towards maximizing the operational efficiency of the SADC North-South Corridor and enhancing regional economic integration.

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