Mozambique to build new bridge over the Zambezi

Maputo, 09 July-(ANA)-Mozambique's government has announced plans to build a $ 132m (£ 87m) bridge across the Zambezi River.

It will allow access to the inland province of Tete, and some of the world's largest coal deposits.

Construction of the bridge by a consortium of Brazilian and Portuguese firms is expected to start next week.

At present trucks have to cross the existing Samora Machel bridge one at a time, leading to peak time tailbacks of several miles.

Announcing the new bridge, government spokesman Alberto Nkutumula said that with coal reserves of an estimated 2.4bn tonnes, several international mining companies were already working in Tete province.(ANA)

FA/ANA/09 July 2010--------