Govt spends US$31 million to procure 27 dredgers

Eng Brian Mushimba - Picture by Albert Mpezeni

Eng Brian Mushimba – Picture by Albert Mpezeni

Government has spent a total of US$31 million from the Eurobond to procure 27 dredging equipment in addition to the five which were earlier procured.

Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba told Parliament in a ministerial statement that to date, 18 out of 27 dredgers have been delivered to government and have been distributed to some parts of the country.

Mr Mushimba says with the procurement of more dredging equipment and the water vessels, it was logical that the marine infrastructure also be assessed.

He says during the surveys conducted, government realized that there was need to upgrade the existing marine infrastructure as well as construct new ones where they did not exist.

Mr Mushimba has further told parliament that government is closely working with the Angolan Government to develop the Shang’ombo Port in Western Province, adding that phase one of the project involved the construction of a ten kilometers canal which has since been completed.

He has also disclosed that his ministry will take to parliament a bill to reform and improve the water transport sector.

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