The Zambian government has announced a project to dig a canal that will link Shangombo district in Zambia’s Western province with Angola‘s border city Rivungu at a cost of 1 billion kwacha (about 240,000 U.S. dollars).
The canal will be used for agricultural, trade and marine services for the mutual benefit of the two countries, Zambia’s Communication and Transport Deputy Minister Mubika Mubika was cited by Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) as saying on Thursday.
Mubika said that the canal would be used for irrigation in the upper lands of Shangombo district as most areas in the district are prone to drought.
The canal would also serve as a marine tunnel where boats would be transporting both people and cargo between the two countries, Mubika said.
He noted that the canal would help Zambia and Angola boost their economic ties and strengthen the existing bilateral relations.
The report did not say when the construction of the canal will begin and how long it takes to complete it.
Obviously this sounds like an excellent idea. I just hope that a full economic and environmental assessment has been concucted to show the pay-offs from this investments. What’s the situation with the landmines in that part of Angola.