K5m released to repair Samfya culvert

GOVERNMENT has released K5 million to finance repairs on the washed away culvert that has led to Samfya Boma being cut off from the rest of the country.

Charles Mushota, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development announced that works to replace the washed away culvert on Chimana stream, a few metres away from Samfya Boma had started.

In a statement issued to the Daily Nation by public relations officer, Jeff Banda, Mr Mushota made the announcement yesterday in Samfya after conducting a technical assessment of the washed away culvert.

“Works to replace the washed away culvert on the Mansa – Samfya road on Chimana stream, a few metres from SamfyaBoma, have started.

“This follows the release of K5 million to finance rehabilitation works on the washed away culvert that has led to Samfya Boma being cut off from the rest of the country,” Mr Mushota said. Mr Mushota said works repairs were being done by BSBK Limited, the contractor working on the Musaila – Kasaba road in Luapula Province

He said the works were expected to be completed in the next 5 days.

Mr Mushota said following the incident, President Edgar Lungu directed him to rush to Samfya district to access the extent of the damage and see what immediate interventions were to be taken.

“Immediately after the culvert was washed away, cutting off Samfya district from the rest of the country, President Edgar Lungu directed me to come and access the situation. I am here with a team of engineers from the Road Development Agency (RDA).