Unity Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Unity Bridge across Ruvuma River
at Negomano, Mozambique
, between Tanzania
and Mozambique
was proposed as early as 1975, shortly after Mozambique's independence.
It was the idea of the two country's former Presidents, Mwalimu Nyerere and Samora Machel
. Several design studies and limited construction work were completed in the early 1980s, but the Unity Bridge was not finished due to lack of funds.
In 2002 the two national governments made a formal agreement to build a new bridge across the river. The first foundation stones were laid both on Tanzanian and Mozambique sides on October 10, 2005. Construction was initially planned to be finished in 2008.
In 2005, Norconsult was awarded the contract for preliminary design and construction supervision of the bridge. It will be about 720 m long.
The project would boost development in Mtwara Region
(Tanzania), Cabo Delgado (Mozambique) as well as in the Southern African Development Community
region as it is an important component of the Mtwara Development Corridor. It will also shorten the distance along the Cape to Cairo Road
.
Environmentalists say it would destroy Niassa Reserve
in Mozambique which is home to elephant, buffalo, sable and roan herds.
The Unity Bridge over the Rovuma River was built by The China Geo Engineering Corporation and finally inaugurated on 12 May 2010 by the presidents of Mozambique and Tanzania.
The rehabilitation of access roads on both sides of the bridge is to be started. A second smaller bridge Unity 2 was completed in 2007.
Ruvuma River
Ruvuma River, formerly also known as the Rovuma River, is a river in East Africa, forming during the greater part of its course the border between Tanzania and Mozambique . It is long, with a drainage basin in size...
at Negomano, Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, between Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
and Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
was proposed as early as 1975, shortly after Mozambique's independence.
It was the idea of the two country's former Presidents, Mwalimu Nyerere and Samora Machel
Samora Machel
Samora Moisés Machel was a Mozambican military commander, revolutionary socialist leader and eventual President of Mozambique...
. Several design studies and limited construction work were completed in the early 1980s, but the Unity Bridge was not finished due to lack of funds.
In 2002 the two national governments made a formal agreement to build a new bridge across the river. The first foundation stones were laid both on Tanzanian and Mozambique sides on October 10, 2005. Construction was initially planned to be finished in 2008.
In 2005, Norconsult was awarded the contract for preliminary design and construction supervision of the bridge. It will be about 720 m long.
The project would boost development in Mtwara Region
Mtwara Region
Mtwara is a southern region of Tanzania which has been underdeveloped for a long time: development is constrained by the lack of highway and energy infrastructures. The Dar es Salaam-Kibiti-Lindi-Mtwara road has been improved by the completion of the Mkapa bridge over the Rufiji River...
(Tanzania), Cabo Delgado (Mozambique) as well as in the Southern African Development Community
Southern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
region as it is an important component of the Mtwara Development Corridor. It will also shorten the distance along the Cape to Cairo Road
Cape to Cairo Road
The Cape to Cairo Road or 'Pan-African Highway', sometimes called the Great North Road in sub-Saharan Africa, was an imperial dream envisioned by the British Empire that would see a road stretch the length of Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo, similar to the Pan-American Highway...
.
Environmentalists say it would destroy Niassa Reserve
Niassa Reserve
Niassa Reserve is a nature reserve in Cabo Delgado Province and Niassa Province, Mozambique. Covering over , it is the largest protected area in the country. The reserve is part of the Trans-Frontier Conservation Area and links to the Tanzanian Lukwika-Lumesule Game Reserve...
in Mozambique which is home to elephant, buffalo, sable and roan herds.
The Unity Bridge over the Rovuma River was built by The China Geo Engineering Corporation and finally inaugurated on 12 May 2010 by the presidents of Mozambique and Tanzania.
The rehabilitation of access roads on both sides of the bridge is to be started. A second smaller bridge Unity 2 was completed in 2007.