By JAMES KUNDA? –

A DELEGATION of medium and small-scale contractors from Zambia is in Ethiopia to confer with their counterparts on matters of road construction involving cobblestones.
The seven-man delegation that is in Ethiopia on the invitation of the Construction Contractors Association of that country is led by Mutale Mpepo who is the president of the National Association for Medium and Small-Scale Contractors.
According to a statement released by the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Mr Mpepo during a courtesy call informed Zambia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Ethiopia Susan Sikaneta that the visit to that country was necessitated by the massive infrastructure?development going on in Zambia.
“As you are aware, Zambia is witnessing massive infrastructure development never seen before in the history of the country. Currently, we have the Link Zambia 8,000, L- 400 and Pave Zambia 2000.
“We did not want to sit idle after being informed that Ethiopia has made great strides in paving roads using cobblestones, hence our decision to come here,” Mr Mpepo said.
Ambassador Sikaneta welcomed the delegation and told them that they were on a very important mission in Ethiopia.
“Indeed, Ethiopia is very much ahead in using cobblestones. It is cheaper, effective, and durable and creates employment for the people, I am glad that your delegation is made up of people drawn from different parts of Zambia, meaning that this technology will reach the?whole country,” Ambassador Sikaneta said.
Apart from presentations, the Zambian delegation will be taken on a site visit and will also attend an exhibition on equipment and technology.?Other members of the delegation are: Danny Simumba, Justine Mutale, Lloyd Musonda, Edward Simwanza, Janet Shantumbu and John Mbewe. The delegation returns to Zambia on Monday September 22, 2014.