By SYLVESTER MWALE –
CENTRAL Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kabwe has warned that structures built less than 50 metres away from the Great North Road will be demolished once the process of transforming the road into a dual carriage way starts
The Government is soon expected to launch the project, but Mr Kabwe expressed concern over the number of structures built near the road.
Mr Kabwe together with Kabwe Mayor Prince Chileshe yesterday inspected a construction site of a filling station in Kabwe and other structures, where he reminded the owners that the law required that structures should be 50 metres away from the road.
“I am happy that this filling station has met the requirement, and am glad that for the first time the Kabwe Municipal Council did the right thing by ensuring that the filling station is not closer to the road.

KABWE

“However, I would like to warn that any building that is less than 50 metres from the road will be demolished without  further warning and there will be no compensation to the owners, because that is what the Public Roads Act stipulates,” he said.
Mr Kabwe urged local authorities to follow the law when allocating land to ensure people did not build near the road and delay the implementation of the road project.
He also urged traditional leaders to be wary of the Act Number 12 of 2002 when allocating customary land to ensure that people stayed at least 50 metres away from the main road.
He noted that, while the Government welcomed the investment in various buildings along the Great North Road, such businesses should not be done without consideration of future road expansion.
Meanwhile, Mr Chileshe said the local authority had made it clear that it would not take kindly to councillors that defied guidelines, when allocating land.
He said, while there could have been mistakes in the past, the current council under his leadership would ensure that people adhered to the law when acquiring land, to enhance sustainable development.
He commended Mr Kabwe for pushing for an integrated development approach that aimed to have inputs from various stakeholders before approving and development project.
“We want to bring everyone on board with the integrated approach and I want to assure you that I will continue to guide councilors on the best practices that can bring sustainable development,” he said.