/ 13 October 2008

New bridge links Zambia and DRC

Zambia and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) opened on Sunday a new, 320m-long bridge named after late Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa.

The multimillion-dollar enterprise provides a shorter route from northern Zambia into the southern DRC across the Luapula River, Zambian radio said.

Zambia’s acting president, Rupiah Banda inaugurated the bridge, which was named after his predecessor, Mwanawasa, who died following a stroke in August.

Built by a Chinese firm, the project cost 46-billion kwacha ($11,7-million), and was paid for by both the Lusaka and Kinshasa governments, the report from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation said.

Construction of the bridge began in 2001. — Sapa-AFP