JOHN KOMBE writes
MORE that 15 kms of roads in Silverest area of Ntandabale ward in Chongwe will be upgraded to bituminous standards before the onset of the next rain season, Chongwe Member of Parliament, Japhen Mwakalombe has said.
Mr. Mwakalombe confirmed the development when he addressed residents of the Silverest area in Ntandabale ward. He disclosed that the area had been allocated 15.6 kms of the 48 kms of roads to be upgraded in the district.
He observed that the area had a number of unprecedented infrastructure developments which needed better roads if they would make a meaningful contribution to the development of the area. He cited the newly constructed University of Lusaka and the ongoing construction of the TAZARA memorial park and a Chinese funded milling plant as notable infrastructure developments that needed a good road network.
According to Mr Mwakalombe the massive infrastructure developments undoubtedly needed better roads for the transportation of goods and services. He said that the roads would also enable the farmers in the area to better access the market to deliver their produce. He was of the view that better roads would also trigger other developments which would otherwise not come without improved roads.
Mr. Mwakalombe also assured the residents that the project would be completed before the onset of the rain season.
The Lawmaker further observed that the project would create employment for the local people who would benefit from the 20 percent of works to be sub-contracted as required by the government. He said that the youths in the area will also find direct and indirect jobs during the project period.
Meanwhile area councillor Kapichila Chawinga thanked the government for considering his ward by allocating a substantial amount of kilometers to the area. He said that the people of this area could not wait to see the project completed as they had endured bad roads for a long time. He observed that the area had commercial farms and business houses that would benefit from the improved roads.
