KUSEKA

By REBECCA MUSHOTA-
SOME residents of Ndola have expressed concern over the shoddy works at the under-bridge near Kafubu River where potholes recently caused an accident and motorists have been subjected to traffic congestion.
The Ndola City Council (NCC) last weekend closed off Dag Hammerskjoeld Drive to facilitate for yet another road repair project under the bridge, a place notorious for deep potholes.
Members of the public, however, expressed pessimism over the works considering that NCC undertook similar repairs about two months ago and the potholes resurfaced barely two days after.
One of the motorists interviewed, Sheila Mulenga said she was tired of being inconvenienced on the road and urged the council to permanently seal the potholes before lives were lost.
Another motorist, Japhet Zulu said he was disappointed that NCC had carried out another rehabilitation exercise which he described as ‘shoddy’.
Mr Zulu said the potholes had been a nuisance to motorists who were usually forced to use only one side of the road, thereby causing traffic congestion and accidents in some instances.
The road is important as it is an effective route to Itawa, Ndeke, Skyways, industrial areas and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport from the town centre.
NCC public relations manager Roy Kuseka said the works that the council did at the weekend were similar to those done two months ago.
Mr Kuseka said the work involved patching potholes with bitumen.
He said that was a temporary measure to ease the movement of motorists.
He, however, said there were plans by the council to undertake a permanent operation during the dry season which would involve patching the stretch of the road with concrete.
“So far we have identified an alternative route because to permanently sort out the problem, it will require a month or so and an alternative road,” Mr Kuseka said.
He said the repairs would cost about K400,000 and that the council was mobilising resources and seeking help from various partners.
But a Ndola-based civil engineer, Shapola Mutyoka was of the view that the main problem was the bad drainage system on the affected part of the road.
“Regardless of whether bitumen or concrete or asphalt is used, if the drainage system is not dealt with, the problem will recur,” Mr Mutyoka said.