Floods damage repairs gobble K213m
ABOUT K213.3 million will be spent on repairs and reconstruction of 57 drainage structures, bridges and culverts as well as road sections that were damaged by floods in various parts of the country, the Road Development Agency (RDA) has disclosed.
RDA Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs Masuzyo Ndhlovu said some works were already underway.
He said the works being done included Mulamba culvert on the Great East Road, Kacholola at Siwalya in Nyimba, Ngozi culvert in Nyimba, the Armco culvert at Mwamfuli on Mansa -Samfya road and the washed away Armco culvert at Bahati on the Mansa-Mwense road.
Mr Ndhlovu said the RDA would ensure that the Chipata-Lundazi road, Msuzi and Lundazi bridges were worked on and rehabilitated.
The washing away of the Lundazi Bridge happened in February last year.
"The contract was awarded to Shachitari Contractors Limited with a contract sum of K369, 435, 328.20 for the emergency maintenance works on Road M12, section between Chipata and Lundazi (90km) in Eastern Province.
"The contract was signed on March 5, 2020 and the scope included but not limited to clearing and grubbing, bridges and drainage structures construction, shoulder reconstruction, pothole patching, reconstruction of selected sections, surfacing, edge repairs, road signs and road line marking," he said.
Mr Ndhlovu explained that the design review and supervision services contract with Bicon Zambia Limited commenced on July 24, last year.
He said that in line with the terms of the contract, the design review took six months up to January 2021 and that the provisional completion date for the whole contract was October 5, this year.
Mr Ndhlovu added that the total cost of the Msuzi and Lundazi Bridges was K98, 333, 438.91, VAT inclusive broken down as K27, 521, 932.73 for Msuzi and K70, 811, 506.18 for Lundazi.
"The other challenge at the moment is the relocation of Zesco 11KV powerline and the water pipeline.
"In order to improve safety on site, additional safety measure have been put in place to provide adequate signage for the project and maintenance of detours on a regular basis, starting in November 2020," he said.