Angola releases KR100 million for the Rivungu-Shang’ombo canal project

Shang’ombo District Commissioner (DC) Martin Mwauluka has disclosed that the Angolan government has released over KR100 million (US$20 million) to kick start the KR200 million ($40 million) Rivungu-Shang’ombo canal project.

The Rivungu-Shang’ombo canal forms an effective water transport link between Zambia and Angola.

Mr. Mwauluka told ZANIS today that the canal will cover 8.2 kilometres starting from Tako in Shang’ombo to Rivungu in Angola.

He said construction works on the Angolan government funded project was expected to begin mid this year after the South African PaulPotGeiter gets on site.

He explained that the project will include the construction of a harbour, 10 staff houses for immigrations and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers among other facilities.

Mr. Mwauluka noted with sadness that government was losing huge sums of money through uncollected revenue because of illegal cross border trading across the Rivungu River.

He said the project will boost economic growth in the district not only through tax collection but also through 150 job creation for the locals.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) Sinjembela Member of Parliament (MP) Poniso Njeulu, who is also Information Deputy Minister, said government was prioritising economic development in all rural districts across the country.