THE Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has upgraded and renamed Mweeke Toll Gate to Nalumino Mundia Toll Plaza at a total cost of K7.3 Million in Mongu District.
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban development, Charles Milupi disclosed this when he officially opened the Nalumino Mundia Toll Plaza along Mongu – Lusaka road.
Mr. Milupi explained that the essence of theupgrade was to inject economic growth in the region in readiness of the anticipated Lobito corridor traffic volume once Kalabo – Sikongo – Angola border road was worked on.
He pointed out the importance of roads being a pivotal major capital investment by government through easy access to readily available markets.
Mr. Milupi said government was working tirelessly on the construction and maintenance of roads especially in the wake of the increased road traffic in the country.
He said government was alive to the strain of the collapsed railway transportation hence the vigorous construction and upgrading of road network across the country.
The Minister also revealed that funds have been secured to construct the Kalabo-Sikongo road and works will commence this year.
“The construction of Kalabo-Sikongo road will open up trade to Western province and thus grow the economy in the country,” he said.
Mr. Milupi pointed out that once the road network was worked on with the collaboration of stakeholders, accelerated economic growth will be attained.
National Road Fund Authority (NRFA) Board Chairperson, Noel Nkhoma said the investment gone into infrastructure development in the road sector is visible through expansion of 24 inland toll stations in the country.
Mr Nkhoma alluded that funds will soon be secured to upgrade the other two remaining toll gates in Western Province.
He said the upgrade of Nalumino Mundia Toll Plaza was a testimony of the government’s commitment to continue working hand in hand with the Road Development Agency (RDA) in maintaining roads.
RDA Board of Directors Chairperson, Mulchand Kuntawala noted that the upgraded toll plaza has come with state of the art security and technology.
Mr. Kuntawala said the upgrading works costing K7.3 million has been done by the local RDA regional office, a testimony of empowering local contractors.
He said the increased public private partnership in the country will foster development, an indication in the right direction in improving the trade facilitation culture for the growth of the nation.
“The private partnership in the country will foster unprecedented development, this is good for trade facilitation,” Mr Kuntawala said.
Meanwhile, Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Ngambela Manyando Mukela said the BRE will endeavour to partner with government in developing the province.
Mr. Mukela said the province has lagged behind in terms of development adding that he was happy with the development.
The Nalumino Mundia Toll Plaza is now among the 10 class B toll stations in the country.
