Mohembo bridge to boost tourism industry
Isaac Pinielo | Tuesday January 17, 2017 18:00
At a contract signing of the bridge project in Gaborone yesterday, the permanent secretary in the ministry of transport and communications, Elias Magosi, said the construction of the P1.04 billion bridge is of socio-economic importance to the Delta and Chobe areas.
“The bridge will bring a lot of value to Shakawe and Mohembo villages, as well as to the rest of the country,” he said.
According to Magosi, it will, among other benefits, make services available to all by reducing crossing time, make it feasible for expansion of future road network, integrate tourist attraction sites and activities,” he said.
He added that the construction of the bridge will also address the challenges imposed by the existing pontoon service, which he said is currently unreliable due to unfavourable weather conditions and restricted working hours.
More than 300 jobs are expected to be created when the construction of the 1.2km long bridge commences, connecting Mohembo East (Kauxwi) ferry landing site and Mohembo west (Shakawe) ferry landing site.
“This will also create business opportunities in that area since more workers will influx the area,” said Magosi. The project, which is expected to run for 36 months, was awarded to ITINERA and CIMOLAI joint venture from Italy, and is expected to be completed in July 2019. The supervising consultant is CPP Botswana.
The civil works comprise the construction of a 1.2km long road bridge, with the left and right banks, main channel, and pedestrian walkways and lighting over the bridge and along 3km of approach road will also be available.
Magosi said the project was designed in such a way that it suited future navigation, adding that the area, as a tourist spot that has been listed as a World Heritage Site, is very sensitive.
“I assure you that there will be no obstruction of water flow, no contamination to water, air, river ecology, and we want to maintain aquatic life during construction,” he said.