Kafue-Mazabuka road works at 99p.c

PHASE one of the Kafue- Mazabuka road from Turnpike to Chikankata turn off covering a stretch of about 38.5 kilometers is near completion with about 99 percent of works done.

Road Development Agency (RDA) Director Communications and Corporate Affairs, Masuzyo Ndhlovu said the first 38.5 km would soon be completed and open to traffic. Mr Ndhlovu said in an interview that the contractor, China Henan International Cooperation Group Company Limited, was now laying the last portion of asphalt. He said the road rehabilitation covered widening the existing road, excavations and grading among other earthworks.

“Lot 1 is near completion and the contractor is laying the last portion of asphalt. Soon the first 38.5 km will be substantially complete and open to traffic. Physical progress is at 99%,” he said.

He said works under Lot 2, from Chikankata turn off to Mazabuka General Hospital were at 7.9 percent and are expected to be completed in June next year. Mr Ndlovu said the contractor working on a stretch of 33.5km is China State Engineering Corporation and the contract has a duration of nine months.

It started on December 3, last year.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe commended the

RDA for its pro-activeness in monitoring road construction projects across the country.

Mr Nundwe said the RDA had aggressively been monitoring and informing the nation on road projects it was undertaking. He said without constant dissemination of information on what RDA was doing, it was difficult for people to appreciate what government was doing in all parts of the country.