ONE famous quote states that, ‘where a good road passes, development follows’ and clearly, this statement, beyond all reasonable doubts, sounds valid.
Its validity has been verified from the local level right through to international levels as most economic activities are often delayed by poor roads leading to delay in the delivery of commodities.
Good road infrastructure with an equally good network is definitely the epicenter for sustained development as the list of accrued benefits form such is just so is so long.
Zambia is one good example showing that development happens faster, where there are good roads as for a long time, development is higher along the line of rail, which also has a road running alongside it.
That is why it is so exciting to hear news that the Government has released more than K200 million for the construction of Kalomo-Dudumwezi-Namwala-Itezhi-tezhi road in the Southern Province of Zambia.
Infrastructure Minister Ronald Chitotela said the money was meant to upgrade roads in Southern Province and more crucially that construction of roads would start within 30 days and that
contractors had a mandate to maintain the roads for four years.
Maintenance of infrastructure has been one of the country’s weakest points and it is gratifying to see that a four year clause has been inserted in the contract for road maintenance.
We also all know that the Southern Province has for a long time been a leading agriculture hub for Zambia though its high standing could be challenged with studies and more statistics especially in Central province.
However, their livestock husbandry skills are second to none in the country and it is because of such an important piece of agricultural comparative advantage that the people in the Southern Province should
be rejoicing at this move.
Most agricultural goods are perishables and apart from that, they need special care in handling and bad roads and a poor network are definitely not the best of friends for development in the agricultural
sector.
Another impressive thing about this announcement is that this gets rid of all perceived regionalism and shows that the Government is committed to develop all areas, including areas where he got the least votes.
Dundumwezi, for once, is coming into the news and being used on a positive note and not derogatory context, especially after President Edgar Lungu  got just above 250 votes from an entire constituency.
President Lungu’s thank-you speech after being re-elected, mentioned that he would not segregate against Dundumwezi but instead try and see why they vote in that way and one thing for sure is that it remains one of the most underdeveloped areas in the country. This is really a positive move.
Dundumwezi area Member of Parliament Edgar Sing’ombe attested to this by outlining the challenges in the area and they include a poor road network, connectivity to the electricity grid as well as steady bridges as the ones in the area keep getting washed away by the rains.
And coming as even better news is that the Government has paid K27million to the contractors to commence all projects in Southern Province.
Apart from Dundumwezi, Namwala leads in the number of cattle per square meter in the country and a good road and other infrastructure installations will definitely enhance the livestock sector.
Itezhi-tezhi has just come online in supplying power to the national grid and this will help cushion the load shedding and making it easily accessible is a big positive move.
We cannot wait for the bringing on of a Kalumbila to Livingston road.