INDEPENDENT AUDIT ON ALICK NKHATA BRIDGE NEEDED
THEREis need for an independent audit into the construction of Alick Nkhata Flyover Bridge to settle ongoing speculations on the project, the National Congress Party (NCP) has demanded.
This follows controversy on whether the Alick Nkhata flyover bridge in Lusaka should be demolished on recommendations by the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) that it was a death trap.
A resident engineer, Terence Mukula said the structural integrity of the flyover bridge was not in any way compromised and was of international standard contrary to claims by EIZ, which had earlier recommended that the bridge should only be smoothened in selected areas.
NCP president, Pastor Chanda said it was highly likely that EIZ was misleading the nation over the matter, saying that they have been giving conflicting statements.
Mr Chanda said it had become imperative to engage an international engineer to assess the bridge. He said in an interview that an independent assessment would be the only way it would show who was right between EIZ and engineers who designed the bridge.
“That bridge was put there to add beauty to the city. The same EIZ recommended the bridge should be re-done and the contractor has done that, everything is perfect now why should the same institution talk about demolishing it. Let an independent audit be done,” he said.
And government is skeptical to comment on the fate of the controversial Alick Nkhata Fly- Over Bridge in Lusaka.
Minister of Local Government Charles Banda in an interview yesterday declined to comment on the matter following the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ)’s recommendation that the bridge be demolished because it was a death trap.
Dr Banda said no official from Ministry of Local Government had been allowed to comment on the controversial bridge.
“I will not respond to this question, I have several times said that I will not respond to any queries about this bridge and no official from the Ministry of Local Government will be allowed to comment,” Dr Banda said.