Government says works on various portions of the Ndola-Lusaka dual carriageway are expected to intensify at the end of the rainy season.
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary, Lawrence Mwanza, has clarified that certain works were stopped because some machines cannot work well with a lot of water.
Mr Mwanza notes that people are anxious to see the completion of the road but that the rain season is part of the project and cannot be avoided.
He told ZANIS in an interview that more works on the road are expected to intensify in April after the rainy season.
“We know people are anxious and want to have a road but certain machines can’t operate well with a lot of water, so after the rain ends we expect to see a lot of activities on the road,” he explained.
Mr Mwanza further indicated that works on certain parts where contractors are working are progressing well with the Fisenge-Masangano almost complete.
“We have actually done a lot of work because this project has not even clocked one year but clearing on certain roads has been done, while the Fisenge Masangano road is almost complete with minor works remaining,” he said.
Mr Mwanza said the Abram Mokola Toll Plaza on the Fisenge Masangano road is complete with few works such as lighting remaining.
He further envisioned that once the Ndola- Lusaka dual carriageway is completed, the region is poised to increase economic activities while trade with the neighbouring SADC member countries will also improve.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Road Development Agency Provincial Engineer Bernard Zulu, disclosed that some areas on the Ndola-Kapiri Mposhi road have had earth works done while on other parts paving has started.
Eng Zulu also observed that the rain season is not conducive for road construction stating that certain works had reduced.
“Let me state that the rain season is not conducive for road construction, so we reduce on certain works that cannot be done during the season,” he said.
He also noted that lack of drainages on most old roads are a risk to a lasting road, hence, the contractor is putting drainages on all the roads.
