Although being "a feat of technical engineering", the construction of the Zambezi Bridge in Mozambique did not come without valuable lessons about the negative impact of huge infrastructure projects on vulnerable communities.

There will be much to celebrate when the 2.5 km-long bridge linking the north to the south of the country is officially opened on 1 August. The bridge will make it possible for trucks, buses and cars to cross the Zambezi River in a matter of minutes instead of having to wait several days for a dilapidated ferry system.
 

The originality of the project lies in the fact that it was coupled with a programme for social protection, initiated by the NGO Save the Children (SC). 
 

Based on its experience of other infrastructure projects in Mozambique, where child abuse and exploitation had occurred, SC conducted a study, The Zambezi Bridge - What Needs to Be Done, and approached the government, donors and the bridge construction company.

Possible negative impacts
When construction of the bridge, the second longest in Africa, began in 2006, Caia in Sofala Province and Chimuara in Zambezia Province - the villages on opposite sides of the river - worried about the possible negative impact of thousands of migrant workers and heavy construction machinery suddenly arriving.
 

"With money to spend and without their wives and families, these workers often engaged in sexual relations with young girls and because of poverty and economic deprivation, certain families colluded and sometimes encouraged these relationships," said Chris McIvor, SC advocacy director in Mozambique.

Involve the community
It was crucial to involve community members, including the children. "Children are excellent advocates among themselves, so if you convince some children to avoid certain risks - like frequenting bars and discos if they are underage - they are very influential in convincing others, McIvor noted.
 

Buy-in by local authorities and influential people, like the police, community leaders, headmasters and teachers, helped ensure that child abuse and exploitation were not tolerated.
 

It was also essential to offer viable economic opportunities to marginalized community members, "so that they are not drawn into the sex trade or exploitative labour because they are too poor to withstand these pressures," McIvor said.
 

An example
McIvor said large infrastructure projects were bound to be part of Mozambique's ongoing development drive - road, bridge and railway projects were underway in many parts of the country - and the government, private sector and donors would be well advised to learn from the Zambezi Bridge experience.

Source: All Africa