By MILDRED KATONGO and YVONNE CHATE –
Socio-economic development and growth in any country is linked to the good transport infrastructure.
A good road network plays an important role in maximising economic growth. It also enhances mobility of people, linking them to other towns and communities.
The commitment and zeal by the Government to continue with the construction of the road network countrywide is a welcome move. This clearly indicates that Zambia is headed for economic growth.
The Road Development Agency (RDA) recently signed a contract worth about US$500 million with a Chinese contractor to upgrade and construct 400 kilometres of Copperbelt urban roads.
The project, which will be undertaken in Kalulushi, Chambishi, Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira, Ndola, Luanshya and Chililabombwe will see urban roads either upgraded or constructed.
Once the project is complete, it will ease the movement of goods, people and reduce the cost of doing business.
A good road network brings many benefits to the community, which include improved accessibility to social infrastructure like schools, churches and health centres, increased access to education and improved social interaction and movements.
The project, dubbed C-400, will be undertaken by China Henan International Group Company Limited (CHICO) in conjunction with Zulu Burrow Development Consultants.
Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge said the province had been central to the development of the country because of mining industries which produce copper the country’s major export.
Mr Musenge said the move by Government to embark on the C-400 project is an indication that Republican President Edgar Lungu recognises the role that the province has played in the development of the country through mining activities.
He added that the move is welcome, adding that it will reduce the cost of doing business in the province.
“We are excited to have the C-400 project that will see the upgrading and construction of 400 kilometers township roads on the Copperbelt, the project is timely and would ease mobility,” he said.
He said the project would not only beautify the province but also create a thousand jobs especially at the construction stage.
Mr Musenge said this would provide an opportunity for many youths who were not in employment in the province.
He said the continued construction and rehabilitation of roads country wide was aimed at wooing investors and also strategically contributing to national development.
Mr Musenge said RDA should consider starting with the roads that were in a deplorable state in the province.
He cited Kafulafuta-Luanshya and Ndola- Mufulira roads as the ones that needed to be addressed urgently as they were in a bad shape.
Ndola City Council public relations manager Roy Kuseka said the local authority was eager to see the commencement of the C-400 project in the province.
Mr Kuseka said the upgrading and rehabilitation of roads would help reduce congestion as most of the alternative roads in the city were in a bad shape.
“The move to have the roads worked on is very welcome. We are eager to see the commencement of the project, this will help reduce congestion in  Ndola where most alternative roads are in a bad shape,” he said.
Some motorists spoken to welcomed the C-400 project and commended Government for releasing the funds to refurbish roads on the Copperbelt.
Terry Tembo, a bus driver of Ndola welcomed the move and said that this would reduce congestion on the main roads.
Another motorist, Raphael Matungulo said Government should ensure that the all roads that were  in a bad shape were worked on and the works should be expedited once they commence.
He said often times a project would begin but not completed for various reasons.
“We are happy that the Copperbelt 400 project will be starting and as motorists we commend Government . It is our prayer that when the works commence they won’t be stalled for one or another reason,” he said.
Mr Matungulo also said the works should commence and be implemented in a transparent manner to benefit the people on the Copperbelt.
It is indeed a relief to the people on the Copperbelt that the Government has decided to work on the township roads, some of which are in a deplorable state. As Mr Musenge said, there is no doubt the move will definitely reduce the cost of doing business in the province.