The Road Development Agency (RDA) has awarded contracts worth over K18 million to 12 local sub-contractors to undertake works along the Katoba to Chirundu via Chiawa road in Lusaka Province.

A total of 29 sub-contractors have been nominated by the Agency to work on the Katoba to Chirundu via Chiawa road.

RDA Director Communications and Corporate Affairs Masuzyo Ndhlovu said during the signing ceremony in Lusaka that the first batch involved 12 sub-contractors, a move he said was meant to limit the number to enhance smooth operations at a given time on site.

Mr. Ndhlovu said RDA signed a contract with China-Geo Engineering Corporation for the spot improvement of approximately 100 km of the Katoba to Chirundu via Chiawa road.
“The road will serve as an alternative route from Lusaka and is expected to spur local development in the area. This project is under the supervision of Messrs Iliso Consulting,” he said.

Since the introduction of the 20 percent sub-contracting policy in 2012, RDA developed modalities and guidelines which were reviewed in 2015 for the implementation of the policy.

Mr. Ndhlovu said the Agency has to date registered over 1942 sub-contractors earmarked to be engaged in road construction activities.

He said 778 sub-contractors have so far been engaged under various road projects such as the Link Zambia 8000, L400, Zambia Township Roads on the Copperbelt and other construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects.

RDA Senior Manager Local Contractors Development Eng. Samuel Twasa said it was the Agency’s desire to ensure that local contractors attained financial independence and be able to take up bigger jobs in road construction.

Eng. Twasa said RDA wanted to create jobs and sustainable local contracting capacity among sub-contractors. He urged the sub-contractors to pay attention to detail on site so that they undertake quality works. “We will be carrying out random site visits to monitor activities and ensure there is compliance,” he said.

Lusaka Province Regional Manager Eng. Chabala Pandeki said the signed contracts had been reviewed and packaged in line with RDA policy guidelines for sub-contracting.
Eng. Pandeki said the sub-contractors would ride on the rates for the main contractor and only a management fee of 5 percent would be retained by the main contractor.
He urged sub-contractors to adhere to specifications enshrined in the contract documents.

“You are advised to work closely with the main contractor China-Geo Engineering Corporation who in fact is going to supervise your works. We expect you to cooperate very well with the main contractor,” he said.

He also urged the contractor to support the sub-contractors and make them settle down quickly in their respective road sections.

The firms awarded the contractors are Ngalitas, Axcel Enterprises, Fremu Construction, Kaungu General Dealers, Mende Construction, Virgin Services and Ex-selza.
Others are: Takweza Infrastructure Services, Rodmead Construction, Pittscon Zambia, Siyana and Inmark-Thirty-two plus.

Minister of Energy Matthew Nkhuwa has assured the nation that there is enough fuel stocks in the country and that there no need to panic.

Mr. Nkhuwa noted that the recent erratic supply was caused by truck drivers who were undergoing an illegal strike.

He recalled that the striking of drivers led to the panic buying among the consumers but that the situation is under control.

Mr Nkhuwa recapped government’s commitment in ensuring that there is security of supply of fuel to enable the wheels of the economic to continue running.

He was speaking in parliament today when responding to a question from Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo.

Mr Nkombo wanted to know the cause of the sudden erratic supply of fuel in the country, what urgent measures the Government was taking to normalize the situation; and what long term measures are being taken to ensure a normal supply of fuel in the country.

And in response Mr Nkhuwa stated that government has put in place both long and shorty term measures to curb any possible fuel shortages

“The truck drivers had an illegal strike and then led to the panic buying among the citizens. All citizens and consumers should know and be assured that the situation of erratic fuel shortages is under control,” he charged.

Mr Nkuwah who is also Chingola Member of parliament pointed out that apart from engaging transporters to import enough fuel, government has engaged the Tanzanian government to expedite the clearing of all Zambia bound petroleum products.

He indicated that government also offers police escort to tankers to their destination.

Mr Nkhuwa further assured that the Ministry of transport and communications is doing everything possible to engage the unions in the fuel transportation sector.

The two days Renewable Energy conference which is aimed at enhancing stakeholders’ participation in the promotion of alternative sources of energy has commenced in Lusaka.

Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa has implored both local and international investors to seize the favorable investment environment in the sector that is grappling with 810 megawatts deficit.

Mr Nkhuwa disclosed that Zambia currently has 2300 MW electricity demand but only 1490MW are being generated.

Energy Minister attributed the struggle in meeting the country’s demand to the outbreak of COVID-19 that imposed shocks on various sectors of the economy and climatic changes.

“The theme for this conference which runs from October 27 to 28, 2020 ‘opportunities for French and Zambian companies collaboration’ is a chance for the private sector to make massive investment in the renewable energy sub-sector and as government we have provided an enabling environment,” the energy Minister said.

He underscored that the promotion of renewable energy and other sources of energy is an opportunity for the private sector to access the local and international markets that are gaping for the power.

Despite the country being among the lowest to access to electricity among its citizens in the sub-Sahara region, Mr Nkhuwa was enthusiastic the situation will change for the better in the first quarter of 2021 due to numerous measures being implemented.

Meanwhile, several Ambassadors at the conference took turns in stressing the importance of renewable energy to the country’s economic growth.

European Union Head of Mission to Zambia Jacek Jankowski said the EU injected at least 25 million euros in the energy sector last week to finance for energy efficiency.

Mr Jankowski hailed government for amending the energy act in 2019 which gives a clear direction in the sector such as cost reflective tariffs and access to electricity by all.

He cited solar energy as among the alternative sources of power that can easily improve the electricity supply in Zambia that has remained low due to lack of cost reflective tariffs.

“Zambia has embarked on the positive path of renewable energy that is clean and affordable. This stance is timely because the major source of hydro-power the Kariba dam is being affected by the effects of climate change among other shocks. Once fully harnessed the renewable energy sector will complement the hydro power sub-sector that contributes 86% of the country’s electricity supply,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, French Ambassador to Zambia Sylvain Berger explained that France remains unwavering to cushion the loadsheding in Zambia that has been necessitated by the effects of climate change.

Mr Berger pointed out that his country will continue supporting the Zambian government in promoting alternative sources of energy as evidenced by the 50MW of solar power being spearheaded in the Lusaka South mult- economic facility zone.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s Ambassador to France Christine Kaseba Sata pointed out that the entire Southern Africa is battling with energy deficit owing to changes in the climatic conditions.

Dr Kaseba Sata said the promotion of renewable energy production in Zambia is a clear fiscal platform that will enable the country export power to other countries.

“COVID-19 has derailed a lot of developmental opportunities but this conference is commendable as it will spur economic growth in the energy sector. The entire Southern Africa is grappling with energy deficit and once we succeed in renewable energy we will be able to export power to other countries,” she stressed.

She emphasized that the Zambian mission in France is delighted with the positive feedback from French companies to invest in Zambia which has seen at least 40 companies having investments in the country.

The Renewable Energy Conference has been organized by the French –Zambian Chamber of Commerce and will run from today October 27 to 28 October, 2020 with the major objectives being accessing the potential of the renewable energy sector in Zambia and its prospects as well as allowing the private and public stakeholders to debate thematic subjects.