•Mumbwa road being expanded under the L-400 road project. Picture by PASSY HAACHIZO

By PASSY HAACHIZO –
DEVELOPMENT is not about getting ahead of other countries, but ensuring that people are provided with what they require to improve their lives.
The Road Development Agency (RDA) has expedited its road maintenance in Lusaka under L-400 and as of the end of 2015, 70 per cent of targeted roads were done.
The L-400 is the road project which the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is undertaking through RDA to reshape and maintain all the roads in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
The project which commenced from June, 2013 is expected to be completed early this year.
During a tour carried out in Lusaka recently, Works and Supply Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga commended RDA for making considerable progress on the project, which is almost done.
Mr Mukanga said RDA had exceeded his expectations as was evident from what had already been done.
Some 299 township roads in Lusaka covering 265 Kilometres have been completed from the targeted 408 Kilometres.
Mr Mukanga was optimistic that the roads would be done in time as the contractor was moving at a good pace.
“People have been talking about L-400 roads and on this project so far, US$80 million from the project sum of $348,293,745 has been used,” Mr Mukanga said.
However, the minister urged AVIC International and ILISO, the consulting company, to speed up the works so that they could move to township roads on the Copperbelt.
He urged RDA to swiftly do evaluations in Lusaka and do a thorough job so that development could be extended to Lusaka townships like Kanyama.
According to Mr Mukanga, there was no need for people to continue politicising the construction of roads.
He said the project to build roads started long before elections drew close.
Lusaka residents have welcomed the construction of the new roads which have changed the face of the city.
Kabwata resident Wamunyima Wamunyima said he was overwhelmed that Burma, which passes by his house, had been tarred.
“Yes, I am very happy because the community here is even looking clean and very presentable because of the new road that we have,” he said.
Mr Wamunyima urged residents to protect the new road rather than vandalise it by tampering with road signs, and letting litter accumulate in its drainage.
Another resident identified only as Mumba urged the residents to avoid clogging the road with litter as was the case in the past when the drainage system was blocked, casing rain water to flow onto the road, which resulted in damage.
“I wish people that dump garbage in the drainage which is being worked on can one day be given some punishment of some sort so that they desist from this practice which will eventually lead to the road being damaged,” he said.
Mr Mumba advised the residents to desist from negating the progress that had been made in building the new road.
AVIC International deputy director Liu Xiaodong expressed gratitude at the support rendered by Government towards the construction and maintenance or roads in the country.
Mr Liu said his team had helped to do something towards uplifting people’s lives by giving them good roads.
“Yes, we are almost winding up with the L-400,” he said.
ILISO consultant director, Mususeni Mumba said the firm was determined to do a good job as his team was ready to work for the benefit of every Zambian.
He said it was his wish that members of the public were educated on the importance of avoiding activities that would lead to the damage to the new road infrastructure which was being done at great expense.
Among the roads which have been completed under the L-400 is Burma, Chilimbulu, Nationalist, and Vubwi. Mumbwa road has been expanded to reduce traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
Mr Mumba urged members of the public, especially pedestrians, to be careful when using the roads as in some cases, the new roads have led to an increase of pedestrians being hit by speeding vehicles.
He said the public must not use roads without considering the consequences.
The conclusion of the L-400 project is expected to give Lusaka a new look and boost businesses engaged in public transport and provision of services.
Public transport is expected to become easier and more accessible for the commuting public as the new roads will make it possible for transport operators to widen the transport network and service new routes which might have previously been impossible to go to due to poor roads.
Minibuses which never used to reach places like Kasisi Orphanage located beyond Kenneth Kaunda International Airport are now a common sight and make it possible for people around Kasisi to easily access public transport which was not possible previously.
Access to transport has helped the community around Kasisi to have better access to products and services as traders now find it easy to buy groceries in town to stock local shops and kiosks.
Areas on the fringes of Chalala, Chilenje and Libala, as well as Vorna valley and New Avondale located to the east of Lusaka will also benefit from better service provision owing to the new roads.
Townships like Chawama will for the first time have their potholed, impassable roads paved.
Since AVIC International and other contractors, together with the RDA and consulting engineers have done their part in building the new roads, the onus would be on the communities and the local authority to look after the new road infrastructure so that maximum benefit can be derived from the roads.