By KETRA KALUNGA
THE Road Development Agency (RDA) has subcontracted the Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) as a local road authority for Central province.
This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between RDA, National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) and ZCS.
RDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), George Manyele, said his organisation was delighted to work with ZCS as a local road authority to carry out road rehabilitation and maintenance works on the primary feeder road network
Mr Manyele said the primary feeder roads network was critical role to the farming community in the rural areas as it facilitates transportation of farm produce from farm sites to marketing centres.
He said, however, the condition of primary feeder roads has significant deteriorated, a condition he said was a deterrent to the movement of goods and services and impacts negatively on agriculture and tourism activities.
And NRFA chief executive officer, Wallace Mumba, said the MOU would ensure timely road maintenance and would lower the cost of maintenance.
Speaking earlier, ZCS Commissioner General, Chisela Chileshe, described the signing of the MoU as a very important occasion the calendar of the service.
Dr. Chileshe commended the government for ensuring the partnership between RDA, NRFA and ZCS that aims at opening up rural roads in Central province.
He said the ZCS through its technical team was equal to the task of ensuring that roads in the rural parts of Central province are construction and rehabilitated.
