STATE TO TACKLE MBASUMA BRIDGE PROJECT HICCUPS

WE will address the hiccups that have led to the delay in the implementation of Mbasuma bridge construction project in Chinsali, special assistant to the President for project monitoring and implementation, Andrew Chella has said.

Mr Chella said the K84 million worth project which started in November 2017 was supposed to have been completed in 18 months’ time. He said implementation of the project had delayed due to financial challenges which resulted in extension of the period of completion. Spea ing when he inspected the ongoing wor s at the bridge on Tuesday, Mr Chella said he was happy that despite the challenges, the contractor, China Seventh Rail Group of Companies had resumed the works which are currently at 23 percent. Mr Chella said overnment was eager to see the project completed on time and the tollgate it if possible so that it could act as a source of revenue for government through the National Road und Agency NR given the economic value of the Na onde border to ambia He said once completed, the bridge would offer a shortcut from Kasama to Nakonde and reduce the distance between the two districts by 100 kilometres. “ overnment is everywhere, pro ects are everywhere and we want to give a high uality life to everyone regardless of one’s geographical position,” said Mr Chella. Meanwhile, Mr Chella has commended the Rural lectrification Authority R A for installing power lines near the uarry site for the K1.4 billion Chisali-IsokaNakonde road project. Mr Chella said the contractor had identified a uarry that would supply crushed stones for the road construction project but needed power for the crusher to start operating He explained that for the contractor to efficiently provide uarry for the road, they needed power which he said would soon be provided through R A so the project could be expedited.