Install weighbridge on Ndola-Kitwe highway
THERE is need to install a weigh bridge between Ndola and Kitwe to prevent overloading on the dual carriageway whose main maintenance works have been completed, says China Jiangxi Corporation (CJIC) Manager- Communications and Public Relations, Misheck Wangwe.
CJIC is working on the Kitwe-Ndola Dual Carriageway and the new Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, among other projects.
Mr Wangwe said CJIC had continued to attend to various maintenance activities arising from the wear and tear as the road had been in use throughout the project period which commenced in .
Mr Wangwe explained that the amount of traffic had increased during the project period as the )isenge ± 0asangano and the 0ufulira ± 1dola links had deteriorated, hence all traffic diverting to the 1dola-.itwe connection.
“Due to the booming economic activities arising from the increased mining operations in North-Western province and throughout the Copperbelt province, Kitwe-Ndola road is the only route that is used to ferry abnormal loads of equipment to the mines and thousands of tonnes of mineral products from the mines on a daily basis.
“We also continue to advise that there is need to install weigh bridges between Ndola and Kitwe to prevent overloading on the road given that railway transport has significantly been abandoned and the level of activity between the two industrial cities is very high,” he said.
Mr Wangwe in a statement also clarified that the proMect was not funded under any loan from the Chinese Government as suggested by some sections of the media, but under the Zam- bian Government through the 1ational 5oad )und Agency.
He explained that in the period between and April
, serious cash flow constraints were experienced and as a mitigation measure, CJIC internally pumped in 86 million to sustain the works.
He said the project was being carried out in compliance with the standard specifications applicable to Southern Africa Transport and Communications Commission and supervised by a professional supervision company.
“The Project commenced on -anuary , and it has taken more than five years to complete owing to additional works issued under numerous Variation Orders and also owing to a number of completion time extensions emanating from cash flow constraints. However, the main works of the road maintenance have been completed,” he said