US$247.76m sourced for Chinsali-Isoka Road

GOVERNMENT has sourced about $247.76 million for the reconstruction of both lot one and two on the Chinsali-Isoka Road in Muchinga Province, says Housing and Infrastructure Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota.

Mr Mushota said the African Development Bank (AfDB) would provide a loan of $193 million towards the road project while Africa Growing Together Fund $50 million and the Zambian Government supplement $4.76 million.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Mushota said Chinese Seventh Railway Contractors and China State Engineering Corporation have been selected as contractors to work on the road which was adversely affected following torrential rains.

Mr Mushota said the road project was expected to start on April 1, 2019 and that funds were being mobilised. Recently, the Great North Road was completely cut-off by flash-floods at Lifune Stream, Danger Hill area 25 kilometres from Mpika town going up north.

Road Development Agency (RDA) Communications and Corporate Affairs Director, Masuzyo Ndhlovu said an Armco culvert between Mpika and Chinsali whose trench is about 25 metres wide and 12 metres deep has been washed-away.

“Two contractors for the project have been selected which are Chinese Seventh Railway Contractors and China State Engineering Corporation,” Mr Mushota said.