Africa-Press – Botswana. The P1 billion Okavango River Bridge that officially opened at the weekend is an example of government’s commitment towards infrastructure development.
This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi when officially opening the bridge in Mohembo on Saturday.
Saying infrastructure development had been identified as key to social upliftment, economic growth and development, he said it was also necessary for unlocking wealth creation potential.
“Quality infrastructure has the potential to equalise wealth creation opportunities for our communities because it enables individuals, like you and I, to apply both their mental and physical labour to the resources available, both far and near, in order to make a living,” he said.
The President said good, durable roads and bridges enabled citizens to enjoy the freedom of easily accessing administrative, health, educational, commercial and technical services and facilities they needed to improve their livelihoods.
Hence, Dr Masisi said, government did not shy away from committing a large portion of the available budget to infrastructure development.
“This is the ‘social contract’ of delivering and availing the critical material means by which human life becomes liveable and dignified, thus extending your opportunities and freedoms for happiness, as Batswana,” the President said.
He reiterated government’s commitment towards expanding road infrastructure and network to facilitate the ease-of-doing-business, improvement of the country’s business capacity as well as its global competitiveness.
“We are here today to bear testimony to the official opening of Okavango River Bridge which was, in fact, permitted to carry traffic in June 2022, by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale,” Dr Masisi said.
He explained that the project was fully funded by government under Domestic Development Fund to the tune of approximately P1 billion.
Though some delays were experienced, Dr Masisi said the bridge was successfully completed and had been beneficially used by motorists and pedestrians for about seven months.
Due to its complexity, the project was undertaken by a foreign company, Itinera/Cimolai joint venture, under the supervision of CPP Botswana while some components such as construction of roadworks and electrical installations were reserved for 100 per cent citizen-owned contractors, President Masisi stated.
The project entailed construction of a 1.161km bridge, 3km of approach roads with street lighting as well as associated drainage, electrical installations and reticulation.
Dr Masisi said the project improved the economy of the catchment area by creating employment for 513 at its peak, 484 of them citizens out of which 293 were youth.
He encouraged communities in the area to use the bridge responsibly by observing road signs and driving within the stipulated speed limit to avoid accidents.
Communities were also urged to work together with village extension teams and the police to form road safety committees for educating and sensitising people.
Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga said the bridge was a transformational development as it had significantly changed the lives of people for the better.
Before the bridge’s construction, public transport was scarce even to nearby villages across the river but that was no longer the case, he said.
Mr Kapinga called for regular maintenance of the bridge to avoid dilapidation.
He commended those who were involved in the construction of the project for completing it without any form of corruption.
“This is one project that was managed with the highest level of integrity,” said Mr Kapinga.
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