HH commissions Chingola-Chililabombwe road

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned the 35 kilometers Chingola-Chililabombwe to Kasumbalesa road financed under public private Partnership at a cost US$31 million.

Mr Hichilema said the UPND government is resolved to breathe life back into the Copperbelt economy.

He said the government has proved its critics wrong judging by the reinvestment in the mining sector and infrastructure development.

And Minister of infrastructure, housing and urban Development Charles Milupi said the project has been done on the principles of right price, quality and the on right time.

He has warned of severe sanctions against any shoddy works on road projects under the new dawn government.

Meanwhile Finance and National Planning minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the PPP financing model has reduced pressure on the government treasury and is helping implement huge projects faster and cheaper.

He said the project is anchored on a mutual partnership between government and the private sector, adding that part of the money from the project will go to the government.

Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo said the project is another milestone by the new dawn government to improve road infrastructure in the country while Chingola MP Chipoka Mulenga said the road will improve congestion leading to Kasumbalesa border post

Workers Compensation Fund Control board chairperson Emmanuel Mbambiko

said the board will realise K35 million per year and that 300 jobs were created during the construction stage.

Public Service Pensions Fund Board Chairperson John Kasanga said the board is investing in the Public Private Partnership to grow the pension fund to lessen pressure on the government.