Wed, 13 Sep 2017 13:18:05 +0000
By Kalobwe Bwalya
OVER K300 million has been raised from the road toll gates between January and August 2017 and government will continue investing in projects that will help the country grow its economy, Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela has said.
Mr Chitotela however urged the private sector to seriously consider investing in the road sector because the Patriotic Front government has prioritised investment in road infrastructure.
He said this was in line with its vision and commitment to improve trunk, district and township roads in the country.
Speaking when he gave highlights of the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chitotela said, 20 percent of the works would be subcontracted to the local contractors for them to grow their capacities.
Mr Chitotela said the government would ensure that the project was cost effective and there was value for money, that a target had been set to complete infrastructure development in newly created districts by December 2019.
Mr Chitotela said the project would also upgrade about 45 kilometres from Kafulafuta to Masangano road to dual carriageway.
He said the Lusaka-Ndola road section of Great North Road (T2) was part of the original track road network and it will include improvement of the competitiveness of business in the areas served road by reducing road transit times and improving delivery for cargo and passengers.
“The Lusaka –Ndola dual carriageway road project will cover a distance of approximately 321 km of the road from Lusaka to Ndola passing through Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi and the project also includes a 45-km strench of the road from Kafulafuta to Masangano,” said Mr Chitotela.
