Mon, 28 Nov 2016 20:28:39 +0000
GOVERNMENT will not embark on any new construction projects in 2017 but will endeavour to complete all the outstanding works across the country, Minister of Works and Supply Matthew Nkhuwa has said.
Mr Nkhuwa said that Government did not allocate any money for new projects in next year’s Budget and that they would only complete those which were already underway.
He pointed out that Government would target projects which were of economic benefit to the country but that they would endeavour to complete all outstanding projects.
Mr Nkhuwa however assured that Government would still embark on new projects across the country once the existing ones were completed.
“We will not embark on any new construction projects in 2017 but will endeavour to complete all the outstanding works across the country. Government has not allocated any money for new projects in next year’s Budget. But we will still embark on new projects across the country once the existing ones are completed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Road Development Agency (RDA) has constructed the first ever fixed weigh bridge for weighing of super abnormal loads in Chikankata district at the junction of T001 and T002 near the Kafue River.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Ronald Chitotela, during a tour of the newly constructed weighbridge, called on the RDA to ensure that it was opened to the public soon.
Mr Chitotela instructed the agency to expedite all outstanding processes such as testing of newly installed software and recruitment or transfer of staff to the new weighbridge.
He said Government was spending huge sums of money to build roads, thus the urgent need to ensure that the roads were protected from premature damage arising from overloading.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the work that had been done at the new Kafue weighbridge and looked forward to the opening of the facility before the end of the year.
And acting RDA chief executive officer Elias Mwape assured the minister that the agency would speed up processes to ensure that all outstanding issues were dealt with.
He said that the agency was keen to ensure that the weighbridge was operating efficiently before it could be officially commissioned.
“The weighbridge has been constructed at a cost of K21.8 million by Wakong Enterprises Limited. It will service north and south-bound traffic and has a high capacity to weigh 1,100 vehicles per day,” said Mr Mwape.
