By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –

A FRESH window of opportunities for the people on the Copperbelt has opened following the commissioning of rehabilitation works of the Chingola-Solwezi Road at a cost of K1 billion.
This is a strategic road to what is usually referred to as the new Copperbelt of Zambia, North-Western Province, and yet it has been in a deplorable state for some time.
This has been a source of concern for ordinary travellers and businesses that depend on the 168-kilometre road.
The Chingola-Solwezi Road is economically important to the people in the two provinces.
Therefore, its poor state has caused ill feelings in the people, especially during the rainy season when using the road becomes dangerous.
Ruth Kipaila, a resident of Solwezi, says she reduced her travel between Solwezi and the Copperbelt because of the dilapidated road.
“I rarely visit family members based on the Copperbelt because of the agony associated with travelling between Solwezi and Chingola.
“Travel time has become unnecessarily long because of the potholes,” says Ms Kipaila, whose views are shared by many others.
But the story will now change, and the nightmare will soon be over, since the road will be rehabilitated.
Government has taken action by engaging contractors to fully repair the stretch.
President Edgar Lungu recently launched the rehabilitation works for the road at a cost of K1 billion.
The two contractors, China Geo engaged to do Lot one and three, and Buildcon for Lot two have since moved on site and the works have commenced.
The full rehabilitation of the road has immense benefits not only to North-Western and Copperbelt provinces, but the country as a whole.
This is because the road, once improved, will provide an efficient transportation system to support copper mining and other economic activities between the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces.
North-Western Province Minister Dawson Kafwaya is elated by the commencement of the rehabilitation project.
Mr Kafwaya said the poor state of the road was a threat to the rising mining activities in the province.
The residents of the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces can now look forward to smooth and efficient travel between the two provinces once the Chingola-Solwezi Road is fully rehabilitated.