Tue, 19 Sep 2017 09:40:32 +0000
By Oscar Malipenga
Hakainde Hichilema and the evil cartel are scared of the positive economic impact that the landmark US$ 1.2 billion Lusaka – Ndola dual carriageway will make on the country hence their opposition.
And Pambashe Member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela has predicted that the carriageway will hinder Mr. Hichilema from going into State House in 2021.
Yesterday, the UPND leader branded the U$S1.2billion Lusaka-Ndola dual carriage as a corrupt deal and that government must immediately cancel it.
But Mr Chitotela, who is housing and infrastructure minister in-charge of the project, said some politicians were uncomfortable with the project because it was an economic landmark for Zambia and a signature project for President Edgar Lungu and Patriotic Front (PF) government.
“They were thinking the boss (Lungu) will not deliver so that they can ascend to power hence they are not comfortable with the magnitude of such a project,” Mr Chitotela said.
Mr Chitotela said that the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriage road will make U$S2.3 billion profit over a period of 17 years.
He was aware of some politicians who were doing everything to frustrate the project but said that they would not be allowed.
And speaking when he featured on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) programme dubbed Sunday Interview, Mr Chitotela clarified that the total distance of the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriage road project is 812 kilometers.
He clarified that the project will include the construction of a bridge at Mulungushi University, toll plazas, transit hotel, service, weigh bridge and office space for the Road Development Agency (RDA) costing U$S1.2 billion.
“It is 321kilometers to Ndola from Lusaka and is the same from Ndola to Lusaka, therefore making the total 642kilometers.
“It is 45kilometers from Masangano turn off to Luanshya roundabout, it is the same from Luanshya roundabout to Masangano. Therefore making the total 90kilometers,” he said.
Mr Chitotela said the Kabwe by pass would be 20 kilometers by two, making it 40kilomemters in total.
He further explained that the Kapiri Mposhi by pass would also be 20kilometersby two, making the total 40kilometers.
Mr Chitotela said the total kilometers of the entire project was 812. He said the projects would the construction of a bridge at Mulungushi University, toll plazas, transit hotels, three service stations, weigh bridge and office space for RDA. “The cost is of course $1.2bn to be repaid over a period of 17 years,” Mr Chitotela said. He said government’s estimation was that by the 17th year, the road would have raised U$S3.5billion.
“Therefore, U$S2.3billion in profits to plough into other roads and related infrastructure.
“This project is a legacy project that will earn a chapter for President Edgar Lungu and Patriotic Front in the chronicles of Zambia,” Mr Chitotela said.
He explained that the legal procedure was followed when the tender was awarded and that the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) gave RDA authority to award the contract.
Mr Chitotela has advised politicians opposing the contract to go to RDA to see the contract because it was a public institution running an open-door-policy.
He said the road once completed would improve Zambia’s economy and raise President Edgar Lungu’s political profile.
Mr Chitotela said the deal was negotiated by a team of independent people who were not even government.
He has assured Zambians that Lusaka-Ndola dual carriage way would be completed even before scheduled. And government has charged that it will not consider cancelling the U$S1.2 billion Lusaka-Ndola dual road as demanded by Mr Hichilema. Yesterday, the UPND president (Hichilema) told the government to immediately cancel the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway road project because it was a corrupt deal.
