SUPPORT UPGRADE

AMB IA`S and fair play by stakeholders so that tangible benefits can start accruing to ordinary citizens. In particular, infrastructure development which has so far recorded significant success is a marvel and requires sustainability through collective efforts. In Li are currently under construction in various parts of the country. Ad and opened to traffic under the programme which commenced in September, 2012. As envisaged, the road construction programme hasstartedbearingfruitbyopeninguptherural areas and linking remote points to truck roads and the main urban localities. Zambia will thus transform from being a landlocked to a land-linked country in Southern Africa. The beauty is that the massive road construction programme is moving in tandem with infrastructure development in the new districts. This programme had received bashing left-rightand-centre from critics who have conveniently retreated into dark corners now that Zambia is openingup. The initial hue-and-cry that resonated among critics including opposition political leaders has drowned and the critics themselves are driving on the new roads both in the urban and rural outposts. In Ndola for instance, Mitengo residential area has provided a vital link for traffic through Chifubu Mu If one is driving from Mufulira road, they could pass through Mitengo to Chifubu and finally to the Northern half of the city without having to go round the traffic circle at Levy Mwanawasa stadium and further to Ndola Teaching Hospital traffic circle. From Northrise, traffic would be flowing into Nkwazi township through James Phiri road which Nd Villa and finally to Pamodzi without meandering to Kwacha road. Mi through a different route and traffic is now able to flow up to Mufulira road. In Kitwe, the road rehabilitation will start soon in the Central Business District (CBD) flowing outwards to all locations while Chingola road network is also receiving a facelift. The programme has continued into Solwezi in the North-western province where a dual carriageway is being constructed on the main stretch in the busy DB Elsewhere, the programme is unfolding positively. The road upgrade will certainly have positive economic benefits including improved communication and reduced time of travel – easy of doing business will upscale. The rate of wear and tear on vehicles will reduce, meaning the lifespan of automobiles will not be negatively affected. Movement of agriculture produce will be smooth because the country has been linked while the rural areashavebeenopenedupfordevelopment. Investors will now start flocking to remote areas which were previously inaccessible. Zambians have now realised that the massive infrastructure development was well-planned, contrary to what some critics had been saying. The toll plazas that are now dotted around the country will rake in revenue to re-finance the road rehabilitation and construction programme. As usual, some quarters had started punching holes in innovations relating to toll plazas. Income is being generated and channelled into the road construction programme which was subject of bitter debate. Therefore, Zambians should fully embrace the country`s development agenda and ignore arm-chair critics, who condemn even programmes that are aimed at benefitting every citizen. They current infrastructure development is unprecedented.