Kalabo-Sikongo road key to trade - Mutati

By AARON CHIYANZO in Kalabo

THE Kalabo Sikongo road going into Angola will be given priority among infrastructure projects in Western Province to quickly increase trade opportunities for locals, Works and Supply Minister Felix Mutati has announced.

Mr Mutati said this when he paid a courtesy call on Western Province Permanent secretary, Sibanze Simuchoba.

He said there was need for government to concentrate on funding key projects until they were concluded instead of spreading the resources.

He pointed out that most government projects were dragging because they had to fight for whatever funds were released at a particular time.

Mr Mutati however said the 84 Kilometre Kalabo-Sikongo road worth K960 million would be given priority among infrastructure projects in Western Province so that Zambians could quickly tap into the Angola market. He reiterated that even the Angolan President, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lorenco had confirmed during his recent visit that his country was a ready market for many products.

Mr Mutati emphasised the need to stop spreading the little available resources to many projects but concentrate on a few viable ones at a time.

“The road is opening up trade between Zambia and Angola, there is a lot we can export. We had an engagement with the contractor and he brought the issue of fiscal resource. :e are taking up the matter seriously and see how the road can be given priority,” he said. Mr Mutati pointed out that the road would generate resources to be used in other sectors once fully operational.

Earlier, Mr Simuchoba told the minister that Western province was calm and not shaken by any political turbulences.

He however expressed concern at the slow pace of public infrastructure projects in the province, adding that locals were also questioning.