‘Council engineers to handle township roads’

COUNCIL engineers will construct all township roads countrywide to save on costs, Ministry of Local Government permanent secretary, Ed Chomba has said.

Dr Chomba said no contractors would be engaged for township roads.

He said the township roads project which was previously under the Housing and Infrastructure was now the baby of the Ministry of Local Government. “From now on, we will not involve any contractor to undertake the road projects, they will be done by our competent council engineers,” said Dr Chomba.

He said recently that all councils across the country had qualified engineers who were capable to handle the projects.

Dr Bishop Chomba said it was not necessary to engage either local or foreign contractors to undertake the projects being executed by the councils when engineers were able to do the works. The Permanent Secretary said come 2021 the local authorities would ensure that all the township roads which are worked on in order to beautify the areas.

“All these township road projects are now under the Ministry of Local Government and come next year we shall ensure that these roads are worked on.

And let me inform the nation that no contractor will be engaged to construct these township roads, local authorities in their respective areas will be able to do the works. This is what we have resolved going forward,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Meanwhile Dr Chomba said government would continue to deliver development regardless of the negative criticism from some section of society.

He said government would not be swayed by negative criticism but ensure that it actualised the much needed development.

“I am requesting the Minister of Finance to consider giving us some more funds so that we can be able to allocate some money for missing lunch in order for us to engage the critics so that we show them what we are doing.

This is when they will appreciate the works which we are doing as government,” he said.