President Hakainde Hichilema has officially launched the construction works of the 327 kilometres Lusaka-Ndola and the Fisenge -Masangano dual carriage way.
And President Hichilema, has pledged government’s continued resolve to foster sustainable development through improved infrastructure for the benefit of the local community.
He also disclosed that in a few weeks time, Zambia, Tanzania and China will conclude and sign an agreement on the overhaul of the TAZARA railway line.
Speaking when he officially commissioned the construction works, the Head of State expressed concern on the increased cases of road traffic accidents occurring on the road hence the need to find lasting solutions to the problem.
He said one of the sustainable solutions is the construction of an improved road network which will also reduce the cost of doing business through fast movement of goods.
” This road has killed a lot of people, this is why we need to save lives by reducing fatalities and the only way the government can respond is through building this road, this road has slowed down business because it’s narrow,” he noted.
President Hichilema stated that the launch of the construction of the infrastructure is vital for the country as it is a transit route to other countries adding that it will result in improved trade and investment.
And President Hichilema has assured the public that the government will deliver high quality infrastructure at lower cost and encourage the shifting of money from consumption investments to expenditure investments.
” Zambia needs visionary leadership that promotes peace and stability, imagine this road was supposed to be done at over 2 billion United States Dollars but now we will do this at only 650 million USD, and will save over 1.2 million,” he added.
The Head of State further added that he will in a few weeks present to cabinet a motion for recovery of the money which is believed to have been acquired through corruption.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has pledged to support Zambia in its infrastructure modernisation programme.
Minister Consular at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, Wang Sheng explained that the Chinese government and Zambia have continued to share valuable relations in various sectors.
Mr Weng said improved infrastructure development is critical to economic development of any country.
Earlier, Provincial Minister, Princess Kasune, thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for facilitating the construction of a dual carriageway on a road that had recorded increased levels of accidents.
Ms Kasune, explained that for a long time, the community along the Lusaka-Ndola road had been subjected to witnessing accidents which in most cases led to loss of lives.
‘’Mr President what you have done is historic, something that the Zambians have been longing for, a lot of lives were lost on this road, something which really disturbs us as the people living along this road,” she said.
Area Member of Parliament, Stanley Kakubo, said the construction of a dual carriage road will spur economic activities along the Lusaka-Ndola route thereby opening up other parts of the country to sustainable development.
Meanwhile, House of Chiefs Chairperson, Chief Nkambo has pledged to support the government in all its development agenda.
