Okavango-Zambezi Project Gets 8 Million Euros

Source: Angola Press

Date: 21 March 2008

Author: Anon

Luanda, 03/21– The Usd 24 million Okavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation project involving five southern Africa countries, will get a grant of eight million Euros from the German Non-Governmental Organisation (KHW), for its implementation.

The information was released Friday in Luanda by the director for International Exchange of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Nzinga Lutete.

According to Nzinga Lutete, who was speaking to Angop, said the project was approved by the Cabinet Council in May 2007, and the funds will be used in other punctual actions and research in areas covered by the project.

Nzinga Lutente stated as well that the interministerial commission tasked with the development of the Okavango-Zambezi project will run a workshop in May in Luanda, to publicise its purposes and attract more donors.

In addition to this, the source said, the interministerial commission has been analysing various files concerning the reality of each country involved.

As to Angola, Nzinga Lutete said, the problem rests in the existence of landmines in the areas covered by the project, particularly Kuando Kubango province, where the demining operation is estimated to cost Usd 10 million.

Official data say that the Okavango-Zambeze Tranasfrontier Conservation project, expected to become the biggest Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) transfrontier tourist initiative, is estimated at Usd 24 million.

Involved are Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, all of them SADC member countries.

In Angola, the project will involve the province of Kuando Kubango (southeast), with the districts of Rivungo, Mavinga, Dirico and Cuangar being some of the regions benefiting from the transfrontier venture.

Kuando Kuabango province has, along the Okavango basin, the Mavinga partial reserve, with 8,000 square kilometres and the Luina reserve, with 5,950 square kilometres.