By CLOZZEN BIKALE
North-Western Province Minister, Robert Lihefu says the new dawn administration is in hurry to open up borders with neighboring countries which have been idle for a long time.
The Provincial Minister Robert Lihefu has called for strong economic ties between Zambia and Angola.
Mr Lihefu said Zambia has been enjoying the cordial relationship with the republic of Angola for a long time.
Speaking in Solwezi today when receiving a new Angolan Consulate for the Solwezi office, Agostinho Dos Santos, Mr Lihefu said to foster development between the two countries there is need to open up the Mozambique and Lubito corridors.
He said the border from Mozambique to and Lobito as well to which is more than 1,000 Km have remained, forcing Zambia to start importing even small things from European countries.
“For us to foster development we should not work in Isolation but together”, Mr Lihefu said.
He said there is a need to open up Jimbe-Solwezi roads from Mwinilunga through Ikelenge district in order to promote trade.
Mr. Lihefu said the programme of opening roads is not only being done with Angolan but also with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He the development of these international connectivity roads will be done through Private Public Partnership (PPP).
Meanwhile, Dos Santos has pledged his country’s commitment to opening up the Lobito corridor.
Mr. Dos Santos said he is going to work on strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
“We need to develop actions to open up Lobito corridor Zambia is suffering by using long routes from here to Dar es Salam in Tanzania when there is Lobito which is near ”, he said.
Mr Dos Santos said he will work hard to convince his government to consider opening up Lobito route.
“We are going to help our government to find a quick solution to open up Lobito border We are going to double our efforts if we find any challenge and we will come to knock on your door”, he said.
