Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Wednesday.

--Zambian President Edgar Lungu said his government wants an expeditious completion of a bridge being constructed in conjunction with Botswana because it will promote regional integration and increase trade and economic growth within Africa and beyond.

Lungu said when he inspected the progress on the 923-meter 259.3 million U.S. dollars Kazungula Bridge with his Botswana counterpart Ian Khama that the two governments will closely monitor the progress of the project.

Construction works of the bridge started in 2014 and was expected to be completed in December last year but the completion time has been extended to 2019 due to operational challenges. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- Immigration authorities in Zambia have arrested 97 people for illegal entry and stay into the country.

Immigration Department spokesperson Namati Nshinka said the arrest of the illegal immigrants was done between January 30 and February 5, 2017 during clean ups conducted in various parts of the country. (Times of Zambia)

--The Zambian government has assured investors that it will endeavor to put in place mining policies and regulations that will encourage private sector investment in the sector.

Minister of Mines Christopher Yaluma said in his address at a Mining Conference in South Africa that the stable political situation as well as conducive investment climate makes Zambia one of the top investment destinations in the mining sector. (Daily Nation) Endit