.SCOTT

By KAIKO NAMUSA –

THE Patriotic Front (PF) will not labour during the 2016 general elections as Zambians have confidence in the ruling party owing to the massive infrastructure development taking place around the country, Vice-President Guy Scott has said.
Dr Scott said this in Itezhi-Tezhi yesterday when he commissioned the construction of the K285.8 million Itezhi-Tezhi-Mumbwa Road project being undertaken by a local contractor, Build Trust Construction, over a two-year period.
Dr Scott said the PF Government was committed to infrastructure development to turn around the country’s outlook, especially through road works under the Link Zambia 8000 Project.
“When we say we are going to rebuild, we will do it on time. When we come to the general elections in 2016, it will be a silent campaign for us because we won’t be talking too much but just showing what we have done.
“Look at what we have done and make up your minds. We have done the works as Government, what more is there to say?” Dr Scott asked.
He said the Itezhi-Tezhi-Mumbwa Road project would open the towns’ economic potential, particularly in the tourism and agriculture sectors.
The other benefits to be accrued would be reduced travel time by members of the public and smooth transportation of equipment by Zesco who are constructing the new hydro-power station in Itezhi-Tezhi.
Dr Scott said negotiations were also underway through the ministries of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications and Local Government and Housing to include 10 kilometres of township roads in the contract and another seven kilometres of roads in Masasali Resettlement Scheme.
He expressed happiness that a Zambian contractor had taken up the road project in Itezhi-Tezhi and that this was how it should be.
Dr Scott said this showed that Zambians were capable of undertaking massive projects and that there was need to build confidence in them.
“Itezhi-Tezhi will become a developed place with improved infrastructure overtime and no one will be laughing at you (residents),” he said.
The Vice-President said the Government would not compromise standards in the infrastructure development taking place around the country.
Transport, Works, Supply, and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said the Itezhi-Tezhi-Mumbwa Road, which was constructed 1976, was in a deplorable state but that it was good the Government had included it under the Link Zambia 8000 Project.
Mr Mukanga was also confident that the contractor would undertake the works according to expectations and as per agreed contractual obligations.
He said the contractor had started the work and had graded the entire stretch to make it passable as works continued.
“We are happy as Government that with the completion of this project, we will be adding on to the number of kilometres of the paved roads,” Mr Mukanga said.
“I wish to note that the country currently has about 9,000 kilometres of tarred roads against a road network of 67,000 kilometres.”