The construction of the new modern bridge on a Japanese Government Grant at the Zambia – Zimbabwe Border entailed the simultaneous construction of support infrastructure on both sides of the border in order to cater for the increased volumes of traffic that would occur with the completion of the new bridge.  The bridge was completed on time and handed over to the two Governments at the end of 2002.

The increase in both goods and passenger traffic through this border crossing would enhance communication and trade in the whole sub region and strengthen the economic links and social exchange in both the SADCC and COMESA regions.

Zambian Government took up the challenge to construct these facilities with a view to enhance the border crossing operations and reduce the congestion and time spent on border crossing formalities by International travellers.

Facilities were to be constructed in phases not only due to financial constraints but largely to precedence of activities as the construction of some buildings in the later phases depended on the completion of the first phase.

PHASE I

Phase I commenced in 2000 and comprised of the following-

1. Construction of 50 no. Staff Houses

The construction of the 50 no. staff houses was very critical in that they  had to be completed to allow for the relocation of the Police and Immigration Officers whose old houses had to be demolished in order to create space for the new  passenger control buildings, road works, parking areas and related external works.

The demolition of these houses and police station were to pave the way for the commencement of the civil works which would raise the level of  the ground on the advance to the bridge to the required finished levels  since most of the construction site was situated in a depression.

The construction of the houses began in 2000 and were handed over to  the unit by unit for occupation upon individual completion until when the last end-users when batch was handed over in mid 2005.

2. Construction of a New Police Station

 A new police station had to be constructed because the old one had to be  demolished.  Construction commenced in 2000 and the building was  completed and handed over in 2003 after which the old one was  demolished.

3. Construction of Road works, Parking Areas, Boundary Wall and Guardhouse (Civil Works)

The Civil works commenced in 2001 starting with the lower platform designed for the construction of the freight terminal buildings and ended up at the upper passenger control buildings in the first quarter of 2005.  The civil workers saw the construction of 4 no. guardhouses and a perimeter wall encircling the whole border facility area.  Other works of note under this project included the construction of roads, carpark with  space for about 100 trucks and an extensive system of subterranean service lines which would later connect the new buildings to water, electricity, telephone and sewer lines.

PHASE II

4. Construction of Water Treatment Plant

The township of Chirundu had no proper central system of portable water  supply thus the need to construct a completely new water supply system comprising of the intake from the river, purification and storage facilities and connections to the consumers.

Construction commenced in 2001 and was completed by 2004 after which the system was handed over the Southern Water and Sewerage Company of operational purposes.

5. Construction of Passenger Control Buildings

The passenger control building consist of customs, Immigration offices, arrival / departure hall and a free standing anti – vehicle theft unit office and inspection block.

The construction of the facilities which will service all the international travellers arriving by public and private transport commenced in March  2005 and has been scheduled for completion by the end of August 2007 after which all operations will be shifted into the new buildings from  the old terminal.

The original operational concept of these facilities has been recently changed to meet the demands of the proposed one – stop crossing  regime which is to be test piloted at Chirundu before the end of this year.

6. Construction of Freight Terminal Buildings

The Freight Terminal buildings consist of a bank building, customs  building, warehouse and customs clearing agent’s office block.  Construction of these facilities commenced in June 2005 and are  scheduled for completion by end of 2007. Upon completion, all goods vehicles shall be processed within this facility  which has enough parking space to hold most of the trucks while border crossing formalities are carried out.  The facilities will be equipped with scanners and other security and monitoring devices.

7. Construction of Sewerage Disposal System

The expansion of this border town has entailed the construction of a sewerage disposal system which will modernize and improve the disposal of sewerage in the township from the current septic tank/soak-away system to manageable water borne system. The construction of the sewerage disposal system commenced in March 2005 and will be completed by the end of this year after which the system will be handed over to the  Southern Water and Sewerage Company.

PHASE III

Construction of Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Offices, Dog Kennels and Street Lighting

The construction of offices for the Drug Enforcement Commission together with kennels for sniffing dogs is expected to commence in mid August 2007 and should be completed by the end of 2007. The construction of these buildings will enhance the detection of illegal movement of drugs and other prohibited substances across the international border. The erection of street lighting is expected to commence in mid August and be completed by the end of 2007 and will provide adequate security lighting for the 24 hour border operational system.

PHASE IV AND BEYOND

Construction of 362 Staff Houses

It has been planned that a further 362 houses be built to provide accommodation for Government officers who will be needed to manage the border with the anticipated 24 hour operational regime which will call for the introduction of 3  or 4 shifts to facilitate a 24 hour/day system.

The construction of the remaining houses shall commence when Government mobilizes the required resources but is expected to commence in the immediate future.