The construction of the controversial floating bridge by the Angolan government over the shared Okavango River will go ahead as planned.
The construction of the bridge started in June this year, but was put on hold in July after some Rundu residents and tourism operators expressed concern over the construction of the bridge.
It caused an uproar amongst residents and tourism operators at Rundu, who said that once finished, the bridge would obstruct the free movement of boats and other water transportation on that river.
The 250-metre long bridge is aimed at making it easier for people to move to and from the two countries.
On the Namibian side, the bridge will anchor at Rundu, while it will anchor at Calai in southern Angola.
However, there is no opening on the bridge to allow for traffic on the river such as fishing boats and canoes, or for the movement of big animals such as hippos.
Angola's deputy governor for Economics in the Cuando-Cubango province, Ernesto Fernando and a number of delegates from Minonge on Wednesday visited the floating bridge.
Fernando told reporters soon after touring the bridge that its construction will go ahead, adding that the Angolan government is financing it for an undisclosed amount.
The Cuando-Cubano deputy governor explained that the bridge is temporary, and a permanent bridge is still to be built. He added that it is expected to increase trade and investment between the two countries, especially between the town of Rundu and the Calai municipality of Angola.
“We need to improve our relationship in terms of cooperation, and this bridge will facilitate that in terms of the movement of goods as well as services between the two countries,” he said.
The construction of the bridge started in June this year, but was put on hold in July after some Rundu residents and tourism operators expressed concern over the construction of the bridge.
It caused an uproar amongst residents and tourism operators at Rundu, who said that once finished, the bridge would obstruct the free movement of boats and other water transportation on that river.
The 250-metre long bridge is aimed at making it easier for people to move to and from the two countries.
On the Namibian side, the bridge will anchor at Rundu, while it will anchor at Calai in southern Angola.
However, there is no opening on the bridge to allow for traffic on the river such as fishing boats and canoes, or for the movement of big animals such as hippos.
Angola's deputy governor for Economics in the Cuando-Cubango province, Ernesto Fernando and a number of delegates from Minonge on Wednesday visited the floating bridge.
Fernando told reporters soon after touring the bridge that its construction will go ahead, adding that the Angolan government is financing it for an undisclosed amount.
The Cuando-Cubano deputy governor explained that the bridge is temporary, and a permanent bridge is still to be built. He added that it is expected to increase trade and investment between the two countries, especially between the town of Rundu and the Calai municipality of Angola.
“We need to improve our relationship in terms of cooperation, and this bridge will facilitate that in terms of the movement of goods as well as services between the two countries,” he said.
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| Okavango River near Rundu, Namibia |
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