Divundu (bw) – Plans are underway to widen the narrow bridge across the Okavango River near Divundu to increase the flow of goods from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to and from the Walvis Bay harbour.
The transport sector first raised concerns about the limited capacity of that bridge at a meeting with the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) in 2006. The bridge is an infra-structural bottleneck on the Trans Caprivi Corridor for the transport of mining and industrial equipment for the region. It can only carry freight up to 60 tonnes. It was constructed by the South African military and is today controlled by the Namibia Defence Force.
Since the opening of the Katima Mulilo bridge across the Zambezi to Zambia in 2004, traffic on the Corridor increased rapidly. Statistics show a considerable increase in regional imports to Zambia, DRC, Congo-Brazzaville, Tanzania and even Burundi.
Increased mining activities specifically in Zambia and the DRC increase usage of the Trans Caprivi Corridor and Walvis Bay harbour as a transport route. A September 2006 study on the Corridor found that Zambian copper production alone would rise from 540,000 t in 2006 to 800,000 t in 2009. “Some DRC mines transport copper to Tsumeb for smelting and export through Walvis Bay, which will increase,” the study said.
The project proposal includes increasing the carrying capacity of the bridge and to make it a double lane. The bridge is presently a single lane. The proposal also included the upgrading of the 32 km long road between Divundu and the Mohembo border post between Namibia and Botswana, which is good news for tourists.
The Road Fund Administration (RFA) recently applied for a N$10 million loan from the Development Bank of Namibia to upgrade and widen the bridge. Construction is to commence soon. This will increase cargo handling and trade between Namibia and its neighbours, earning foreign exchange for the country.