The Mansa Municipal Council has commenced the project of working on township roads in the district.

The Local Authority has so far graded roads in Chilyapa ward using the newly acquired earth movement equipment.

A check by the Zambia News and Information Services found out that almost all the residential roads in Chilyapa have been worked on.

This move by the Mansa Municipal Council has excited the residents who note that residential roads had been neglected for a long time.

Innocent Nanga, a taxi driver in the area explains that it will be easy for them to work now because the roads are smooth.

He points out that previously it was difficult for them to work as tax drivers due to the poor state of the residential roads.

“Us we operate from residential areas therefore this initiative of grading these roads will make our work easier and it will also reduce the tier and wear of our vehicles,” he says.

Mr. Nanga observes that the putting of gravel and compacting the road will really help the roads to last longer.

He says the council have used the recommended standards when putting up gravel roads and that this will help to maintain the roads for a longer time.

“At first we thought they would just grade the roads but now they have also started putting gravel and compacting the road which is very good not only for us motorists but even other road users, “Mr. Nanga states.

And Chama Kasanda a biker reveals that it was difficult for them to use the roads before they were upgraded as there were a lot of potholes which resulted in them sometimes being involved in accidents.

Mr. Kasanda indicates that most motorbike accidents in the area can be attributed to the bad roads which were there.

“Now we are able to move smoothly and our customers are no longer scared to book us because they know that the roads have been worked on, “he disclosed.

The council is aiming to finish working on township roads before the rain season gets worse.