SATA

By KAIKO NAMUSA
 –

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has said the actual works of the K1.6 billion Pave Zambia-2000 project will commence at the end of next month.


Mr Sata said the measures to improve the road infrastructure will boost economic activity, especially in the areas of trade and investment.

The project was officially launched in Lusaka last September.

The President posted on his Facebook page yesterday that the manufacturing of paving bricks had commenced with the aim of building up sufficient stockpiles of the bricks to sustain the laying of operations once the project commenced.


“I am convinced that the initiatives that our Government is putting in place to improve the road infrastructure will increase trade and investment opportunities and thus accelerate the country’s economic development,” Mr Sata said.


President Sata said equipment for the project which includes, 13 wheel loaders, 15 graders, 30 tippers, 15 water bowsers, 13 low bed trailers with horse, 14 forklifts, 13 brick making machines and 15 paver laying machines have been distributed and were being installed in all the provincial centres across the country.


“Actual works on the project will commence by the end of May 2014 once the Road Development Agency (RDA) creates stockpiles of cured bricks in the provinces. You will be happy to know that the project has installed the first three brick-making machines at its Lusaka site workshop,” Mr Sata said.


The Pave Zambia-2000 road project is aimed at constructing 2000 kilometres of urban and township roads countrywide using concrete paving blocks.


Mr Sata said to date, construction works at Petauke Market using concrete block paving and Nyerere Road in Lusaka’s Chawama Township had been undertaken.


He added that construction works in Bauleni, Mandevu, Mtendere and other townships in Lusaka among others would commence soon.