The Road Development Agency (RDA) has attributed the stagnation on the $ 1.2 billion Lusaka/Ndola dual carriageway to financial constraints following a directive by the Ministry of Finance to postpone the construction on the project.
RDA Public Relations Manager Masuzyo Ndholvu said works on the Lusaka/Ndola will only commence once the debt situation improves in the country or when other funds are sourced for the project.
He told ZANIS in an interview that the 321-kilometer Lusaka-Ndola road project would include by-pass roads in Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi and the 45-kilometer Luanshya-Fisenge- Masangano Road.
He further noted that the contract to upgrade the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway was signed on May 31, 2017, and had been commissioned by President Edgar Lungu.
“To date, the contractor has carried out several preliminary activities such as setting up the construction camps site that is the preparation of designs, identified projects affected persons (PAPS) and Property and services that may require to be relocated to pave way for the construction works on the Lusaka –Ndola dual carnage way on the great north road (GNR),” Mr Ndhlovu stated.
He said the road has direct economic benefits for the country such as direct revenue collection and support to local and regional economic activities.
He said the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway Project is expected to produce huge economic and social benefits to the people.
“The Agency is currently working on the other sections of the roads using the regional offices in Central and Copperbelt Province in order to maintain the road while waiting for the works to start on the project,’’ Mr Ndholvu stated.
He further disclosed that the Agency is working on maintaining a stretch of 103-kilometer Chinsali /Isoka road while working on a 107 kilometer on the Muchinga, Nakonde, and Isoka roads
Lungu’s excessive debts are now at a choking point. This is not good news for his August reelection prospects,hahaha .
Sonta epo wafilwa. PF is a disaster.
So childish article…
The Title should read: RDA postpones the construction of Lusaka/Ndola dual carriage way not halts.
Government must do that road. We cannot be riding on the same one carriage road day in and day out putting people’s lives in danger dual to accidents.
We must develop this thing. We will put you back in power so that you can complete that dream.
Its all about budgeting and planning. Looks at planning was thrown out of the window and it was done just to appease gullible supporters.
Its too expensive
“He further disclosed that the Agency is working on maintaining a stretch of 103-kilometre Chinsali /Isoka road while working on a 107 kilometre on the Muchinga, Nakonde, and Isoka roads”.
But, what is happening to Roads on North-Western, Western, and Southern Provinces Roads?
Should these Provinces continue to count themselves as part of Zambia really!? Travelling in Western Province is a nightmare!
I thought people were refusing the fact that we have over-borrowed. RDA is lying I guess. There is no over-borrowing and he cannot say Lusaka/Ndola will only commence once the debt situation improves in the country or when other funds are sourced for the project. Which debt is he talking about?
Disaster!!!!
Because of too much debt. The choking debt simply proves ati epo bafilwa epakulu ukuchila epo babomba. And if they are re-elected on August 12 kaya mwandi Mulungu eka aziba……………….
And Lying Lungu keeps on saying that the economy is flourishing. Whatever he says or tweets is a complete fabrication. And any successes are of course down to his “brilliant” government, like the Kazangula bridge: was kicked off and funded by his predecessor, he only nearly killed it by diverting the funds to his criminal cadres. Keeping Lying Lungu in power is a sure guarantee to disaster for the country!
The negativity of the comments above and bad-mouthing of those in leadership without the slightest acknowledgment of the positive things done by government is really off-putting. It is like good things only happen in other countries and not in Zambia. Somebody above needs to point out to us the private sector players who could have been engaged to do the infrastructure projects that have been done so far in Zambia when we are fully aware about the long-term benefits that go with infrastructure developments and how the private sector are more keen on embarking on projects that yield benefits in the short to medium term.
Zambians need to learn to appreciate the good things their governments do and not just spread negativity around. Foreigners coming to Zambia are probably more appreciative…
…of some of the good things happening in Zambia than Zambians themselves.
Lies have short legs. We were told that this project was a PPP and therefore wasn’t going to put pressure on the Treasury. We were told that the sponsors had proposed to recoup their investment through tolls over a period of 17yrs. Does RDA think we’ve forgotten? There were whispers that the project was rigged by those that wanted to make a killing out of it by inflating the figures and committing GRZ to pay the portion that was inflated. There’s no one in his right frame of mind who can think of delaying this project indefinitely. The road is a hazard! Can you go back to the drawing board and do the correct thing? Tell pikinini at RDA to stop embarrassing us
He said, “the road has direct economic benefits for the country such as direct revenue collection and support to local and regional economic activities.”
The toll gates are already a source of direct revenue on the single carriage way.
Just look, nearly all roads being built are in the Notthern Janjaweed Caucasus!
How can a grossly inflated road funded by a Chinese loan be halted …this can only mean one thinking misappropriation of funds. This is further evidence of rampant corruption in PF and Lazy Lungu’s govt, all those funds being handed out by Lazy Lungu this could be one of the sources. The man has no care for the Zambian people…you wonder why he even wants to stand again.
My comment is awaiting moderation
“The Agency is currently working on the other sections of the roads using the regional offices in Central and Copperbelt Province in order to maintain the road while waiting for the works to start on the project,’’ Mr Ndhlovu stated.
You dont need to be an Economist to translate what Ndholvu has been stated here…it means money meant for your urban road is being misappropriated because some people somewhere decided to misuse the $1.2 billion meant for this highway and you are paying the price all front line services suffer; this is how it works its like a domino effect.
PF are very lucky the opposition is so confused and distracted with trivial issues that they do not know how to capitalise on such issues…if I was President of an opposition I would demand an explanation from RDA Chairman or CEO via a Press letter. Write to Lazy Lungu even go to RDA offices
@ Maano, they just commissioned the Kazungula bridge and are still working on Mazabuka road. Those projects are in Southern Province my brother.
..and you are still getting road tolls from the same bad roads??
@ LT
in your article you wrote:
“the Lusaka –Ndola dual carnage way” –
CARNAGE way – is this the new moniker for that busy road?
PF you really messed up this one.
The basic rule of any national infrastructure project implementation is preparing a budget and allocate funds.
Can you explain to Zambia what happened? The nation needs to know because your statement is not good enough.
Then they will mount toll gates
Five more years for this Criminal Enterprise of a Government,led by one Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
The Lusaka Ndola dual carriageway project is probably the world’s most expensive road .All this in a third world country so poor that 80% of its population struggles to find K25 Kwacha a day to live on .
We have got ourselves into this mess through Corruptly Procured,Overpriced Chinese Infrastructure projects that enriched PF government officials & cadres and has on the other hand impoverished the country to the tune of $13 Billion.
At the end of all this Edgar Chagwa Lungu is Shamelessly & Unconstitutionally asking for a Third Term
Lying Lungu likes opening ceremonies – like the Kazangula bridge – and he clearly planned this massive cutting the ribbon ceremony for the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriage way. But now he’s learned that (even when he wins on August 12) this project will never be completed on time. So he’s lost all interest! Cancel this totally useless road, it’s not going to do anything for me! Give all the money to the criminal cadres!
$19 Tarino Orange
June 8, 2021 At 8:48 am
“PF are very lucky the opposition is so confused and distracted with trivial issues that they do not know how to capitalise on such issues…if I was President of an opposition I would demand an explanation from RDA Chairman or CEO via a Press letter. Write to Lazy Lungu even go to RDA offices ”
They just ignore you…..RDA chairman would be hiding under desks , lungu don’t give a darn about any press letter and no one would bother answer any press letter for fear of their jobs…..
akapS- Like I said the opposition hasn’t got a clue including yourself…yes they will try to ignore you but people will listen.
Big announcements to hoodwink gullible people when fully well knowing that nothing will happen due to no money. Even failing to work on existing roads that have totally deteriorated like the livingstone sesheke road but busy announcing new projects.
Zambians should stop pretending their country is developing. They should just resort to using oxcarts