Zambia And DRC To Hold Talks Over Luapula Bridge

The governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to hold high level bilateral talks this week over the construction of the long-awaited Kasomeno-Mwenda toll road and the Luapula Bridge project. 

The projects form part of a road link infrastructure programme designed to decongest the Kasumbelesa border post. 

The Zambian delegation is to be lead by Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa, who told reporters that he is confident the talks with Congolese officials will be a success.

Also expected to attend are housing minister Vincent Mwale, sanitation minister Raphael Nakachinda, and CEO of the Road Development Agency George Manyele. 

The talks come after both countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Lubumbashi in December 2019. 

Ministers have been given special dispensation by President Lungu to travel to the DRC, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 

Zambia’s Ambassador the DRC, Friday Nyambe, has said he is hopeful the talks will result in a roadmap for a joint groundbreaking ceremony by the two countries’ heads of state later this year.