Sat, 27 May 2017 11:16:22 +0000
By VIOLET TEMBO
THE contractor engaged to construct the 42 km of roads in Ndola district has commenced works. Poly Tech Zambia Limited is expected rehabilitate the roads from gravel to bituminous standard at a cost of US $50 million.
Ndola City Council (NCC) public relations manager Roy Kuseka disclosed that the funds have been provided by the central government.
Mr. Kuseka said the funds had been released but works could not commence until after the end of the rainy season.
Mr. Kuseka disclosed that the project was expected to be completed in 36 months.
“I can confirm the contractor has since moved on site and the first area of attention is Lima road located in Hillcrest residential area,’’ he said.
Other roads to be worked on include James Phiri in Nkwazi township, Pamodzi area and Misundu, including one road in the industrial park. The project was expected to have commenced much earlier but Government withheld funds because of the rains which were heavy on the Copperbelt.
‘‘The roads, once completed, will decongest main roads leading and moving out of the central business district as Ndola town has registered increased numbers of motor vehicles,” he said.
Mr. Kuseka also said part of the project would include two motorized bribes connecting Chifubu township to Mitengo and Kanseshi residential area to Mitengo.
He said Ndola was earmarked for considerable development in road infrastructure. With expected commissioning of the C400 road works for Copperbelt in June this year, to which the district has been awarded a share, Ndola was headed for a major facelift.
Mr. Kuseka said the local authority had confidence in the contractor to deliver quality roads.
Some residents spoken to have expressed happiness on the development. Mary Banda of Hillcrest told the Daily Nation in an interview that from the time council and Government houses in the area were sold to sitting tenants more than 10 years ago, the township roads had not been worked on.
Ms. Banda indicated that with the opening up of the area to new developers it was timely that the area received a share of development. She appealed to Ndola parliamentarians to push for construction of police posts in the area as crime was on the rise.
“We thank Government for this gesture; we have felt neglected for a long time. Our roads had been turned into dust bowls and this affected us because we had been exposed to pollution,’’ she said.
And a NkwaI echoed the same sentiments, praising Government for attending to James Phiri road. Maggy Nakazwe said residents in the area had faced challenges in accessing the area using public transport.
She stated that most bus operators shunned using the route because of its poor state.
