•THE Government has accelerated road works across the country.

By TIMOTHY MUZIA  –
THE quest to maintain the momentum of development has been the constant feature for the Government since the country started treading the path of a liberalised economy over the past 24 years.
In this mission, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has been steadfast in effecting massive investments into the construction of roads that are earmarked to permeate all regions of the country.
The Government has not only confined the funding of road projects to tar roads in the township, but it has shown the same vigour to ensure that feeder roads get attention by asking the Zambia National Service to continue with the works that the Rural Roads Unit was responsible for.
This strategy is a direct response to addressing longstanding aspirations from the largely farming-oriented communities in the area whose business has been affected by the poor road network.
“Although Zambia is vast, Government is determined to effect road construction projects with the aim of easing access to all parts of the country,” Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Mwimba Malama said during his visit to Mkushi District late last year.
In Mkushi District, the notable road projects that were considered are the tarring of 20-kilometre township roads.
The Link Zambia 8000 network which includes the Chiponya-Masansa-Old Mkushi Road, the Masansa-Mpula Road and Old Mkushi with Kabwe through Lunsemfwa pontoon have been worked on.
Government exemplified its commitment by according local contractors the chance to undertake capital projects by awarding tarring Mkushi Township roads to Keren Motors Limited.   However, from the onset of the project, Keren Motors Limited has come under attack from several residents in the district, who have constantly accused the contractor of moving at a snail’s pace.
“We seriously doubt the capacity of this contractor to complete the works in good time. Our fears are well-founded as the rainy season is near,” said Godfrey Kabangasheshe, the Mkushi Area Development Association chairperson.
Mkushi District Cooperative Union general manager Harrison Kalota said the contractor should be told in clear terms to ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled.
But Keren Motors has maintained that it is committed towards applying high standards of civil engineering in the quest to complete this project.
Keren Motors site engineer Humphrey Lengwe assured that it would ensure that contractual obligations were fulfilled since the contractor had been paid 45 per cent towards the works.
Mr Lengwe said payment of the 45 per cent of the K104 million project money would accelerate the completion of the works.
“Since this contractor started this project, they have just increased the dust in the town, as well as making it muddy during the rainy season,” said Naomi Chisenga, a vendor selling fruits.
It is important that projects are completed within schedule so that the Government does not spend more money on unnecessary extended projects.