By BRIAN HATYOKA –
GOVERNMENT is in the process of repairing 114 long span damaged bridges across the country to stimulate economic activities in various sectors of the economy.

.Mukanga

Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said about 144 bridges would be upgraded soon across Zambia.
Speaking in an interview in Livingstone, Mr Mukanga said the Government had introduced a project aimed at repairing most of the damaged bridges across the country.
“We have a project which will address most of the damaged bridges across the country. I am talking about long span bridges and not just one metre facilities which we can handle as culverts,” Mr Mukanga said.
He said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) would repair damaged bridges which were a disaster in nature.
Mr Mukanga expressed hope that the damaged and expired bridges in Livingstone would be addressed under the Acro-bridge project.
Some of the bridges which require urgent attention in Livingstone are Mulala, Libuyu-Maramba and Sakubita as well as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Foot Bridge.
Meanwhile, Mr Mukanga said the Government would continue rolling out infrastructure development even in areas where by-elections were taking place.
He said most infrastructure such as the upgrading of the roads and installation of telecommunication towers, started before election campaigns started.
“There was no by-election when we started upgrading the Mulobezi Railway line and upgrading the Simungoma Road going to Mulobezi.
“The Patriotic Front (PF) is so popular and we don’t even need to upgrade roads for us to win. We will win these upcoming by-elections,” Mr Mukanga said.
He said President Edgar Lungu had a proper vision to guide the nation.