31 March 2008
Windhoek — The Katima/Sesheke Bridge is a milestone that has enhanced travelling between Namibia and Zambia, which not only has improved trade between the two countries, but also improved trade with other SADC member states, said the Caprivi Governor.
Governor Leonard Mwilima made the remarks on Wednesday when he briefed President Hifikepunye Pohamba on development activities taking place in his region. The bridge was commissioned in 2004 by Namibian Founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma and Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa as part of the Southern African Development Community's development projects.
President Pohamba and his Zambian counterpart, Mwanawasa, were scheduled to inaugurate a N$96 million 220 KV power line in the region during the weekend. The 220 KV power line gets its energy from the Victoria Falls hydro power station near Livingstone, Zambia. After the construction of the bridge, he said, the two countries had upgraded their border posts to enable them to operate 24 hours, a move envisaged to contribute positively to the two countries' economies. He said the construction of the Trans-Caprivi Highway had made a significant contribution to the rehabilitation of gravel roads in the region. According to the governor, gravel roads that have been rehabilitated recently are Mayako-Zilitene, Katima Mulilo-Linyanti, Ngoma-Muyako, Katima Mulilo-Kalimbeza, Kongola-Singalamwe, Bukalo-Kabbe and Sibbinda-Linyanti.
"The region is looking towards tarring most of these roads with priority given to Katima Mulilo-Linyanti, Mayako-Ngoma and Katima Mulilo-Kalimbeza roads," he stressed. Mwilima then informed President Pohamba that the energy crisis in the region had been partially addressed by linking it to the Zambian energy supply network, adding that an additional energy source was expected to be sourced from Hwange, Zimbabwe, which was anticipated to benefit the entire country by linking it to the national power network at Tsumeb.
"These development initiatives are aimed at benefiting majority of rural and urban residents of our region, which of course are in line with our national development plans," he said.
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