The construction of the Kasomeno-Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge that will connect Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to begin in March this year.
The Kasomeno road (in Katanga) and Mwenda (Luapula) will be constructed to end the Kasumbalesa congestion once and for all.
The road link will cut the traveling distance between the port of Dar Es Salaam and Lubumbashi by close to 300 kilometers.
This announcement follows the signing of a joint communique by Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that compels the two countries to stick to timelines set.
The joint communique which was signed contained a matrix of resolutions which were arrived at following the three days of engagements by the joint technical committee which has been meeting for the last three days.
Zambia was represented at the signing ceremony by Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa, Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale and his Water Development counterpart Raphael Nakachinda.
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota led the technical team which also comprised Road Development Agency Chief Executive Officer George Manyele, Luapula Province Investment Coordinator Joseph Maopu and Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development Chief Planner Bernard Mumba.
And speaking shortly after he signed the document, Mr. Mwale said the time for paperwork is over now that the two countries had resolved pending issues that could have delayed the project.
Mr. Mwale said it was unacceptable that more time has been lost on talking than doing the actual work.
He said it was the desire of the two governments to see that the project did not encounter further delays but proceed as scheduled.
The Minister said he was hopeful that early works that would culminate into the groundbreaking ceremony in March would commence soon.
“It is the desire of both President Edgar Lungu and his brother President Felix Tshisekedi to see that the Kasomeno- Mwenda project starts. We want to see early works beginning in March. We want graders; earth -moving machines on site. So the onus is on athe promoter to show their capacity to stick to the timelines contained in the document we just signed and work .” said Mr. Mwale.
He said the economic benefits of the project were immense for both countries hence the need for it to be actualised.
And Mr. Mwale thanked President Lungu for permitting the Zambian delegation to interface with President Tahisekedi over the project.
And Mr. Ngoopos cautioned GED Africa and Duna Aszfalt who are the promoters of the Kasomeno-Mwenda and Luapula bridge against fatiguing the people with further delays.
Mr. Ngoopos explained that Zambia and DRC would want the project to be actualised following years of pursing it.
“I wish we were on site today witnessing the groundbreaking ceremony. We have been attending meetings and signing papers yet we have seen no tangible results from the promoters. The honeymoon is over and now is the time to work,” Mr. Ngoopos.
And GED Africa Country Representative for Zambia has thanked both the Zambian and Congolese governments for supporting the project.
This song for how long are we going to sign it?
our leaders honestly…And Mr. Mwale thanked President Lungu for permitting the Zambian delegation to interface with President Tahisekedi over the project
It’s a well received news and it excites all of us who have followed this issue… The economic benefit of this project is huge for the people of Luapula
Signed in January and BOOOOM starts in MARCH…..
Not even the country i live in here with billions of cash works like that yet a country with no public toilets can achieve wonders..
Who is F.OOLING WHO?
ARE U SURE YOUR HOME COUNTRY HAS NO PUBLIC TOILETS? AFRICANS NEVER SEIZE TO AMAZE ME , U ARE THEIR IN DIASPORA SEEKING FOR A PUBLIC TOILET AND INSULT UR OWN COUNTRY? BE REAL BANE THIS IS A GOOD MOVE BY BOTH GOVTS. READ IN BETWEEN THE LINES THE LEADERS EXPLAINED THEY HAVE BEEN ATTENDING MEETINGS AND SIGNING DOCS. BEFORE BUT NO ACTION THIS FINAL COMMUNIQUE IS A FINAL ONE, SO WHATS WRONG TO SIGN IN JAN AND ACTUALIZE IN MARCH. STAY WELL IN UR ADOPTED COUNTRY WITH PUBLIC TOILETS.
Ba LT give us a map of where this bridge will be so that we can understand “The Kasomeno road (in Katanga) and Mwenda (Luapula) will be constructed to end the Kasumbalesa congestion once and for all. The road link will cut the traveling distance between the port of Dar Es Salaam and Lubumbashi by close to 300 kilometers.”
Its a lot of good new for the two countries especially that there’s a lot of economic benefit attached to it especially during and after construction
Sad engineer for being away from sweet home, living in a locale where on daily basis you are exposed to chants of ‘…go back…’
Decogation at Kasumbelesa border port will mean less criminals. How I wish the Solwezi provincial administration will also speed up working on Munshindamo/Kipushi Border and Kambimba /Kolwezi Border port in Mwinilunga, Kakoma Chiefdom . KOlwezi is the biggest mining hub in former Katanga now its headquarters for Lualaba Province all the way up to Dilolo bordering Angola. This border if speedily opened up with all facilities put in place will generate the much needed revenue. In fact most of the economic activities in DR Congo take place in its Southern part bordering Zambia and even the longest border is with Zambia among its (DRC) neighbours). Lets make use of this opportunity to free Kasumbalesa from all the confusion and banditry.
This has been long overdue atleast it will reduce congestion
I knew it! Edgar Chagwa is not a Zambian! ““It is the desire of both President Edgar Lungu and his brother President Felix Tshisekedi to see that the….”
Edgar is from the DRC. HH will stand alone this August. No challenger.
Another Daewoo bridge fiasco. After ground breaking no money to pay the contractor.
Kikikikiki Keena ba Lungu nibaKasai. Pamenso!
The news of works starting in much is exciting… especially that these talks have been going on for some time now
@Muwerewere you actually do a better job explaining things than the professional reporter who wrote this story. Please join LT