By SILUMESI MALUMO
THE Road Development Agency (RDA) says it has set aside over K140 million for the construction of the Chinsali-Nakonde road.
Director of communications and corporate affairs Masuzyo Ndhlovu told the Sun Newspaper in an interview yesterday two contractors had been identified for the project.
Mr Ndhlovu said the project had been divided into two lots in order to expedite the project because it was an economic road.
He said the project was expected to be completed in three years and four months.
Mr Ndhlovu said the works would begin soon as the contractors had been waiting for the rainy season to end.
“Some time last year in September two contractors were identified to work on the Nakonde road. On this road we have two lots. Funds have been set aside for the project and we shall see this project to be completed within 40 months,” he said.
Mr Ndhlovu said that RDA had awarded China State Construction Engineering Company to construct the Chinsali-Nakonde road which is about 103 kilometres at a cost of K785 million.
Mr Ndhlovu said the agency had awarded China Railway Limited to work on the Isoka-Nakonde stretch of the Great North road, which is about 107 kilometres at a cost of K715 million.
Mr Ndhlovu said China Railway Limited would also be expected to construct urban roads in Nakonde district.
He said the project had been financed by African Development Bank, Africa Growing Fund and counterpart funding from the Zambian government.
“I wish to say that the road will be widened from the current 2.1 metres to seven metres, this will include hard shoulder and the shoulder will be about two metres. Right now the road which is in the deplorable state is about 2.1 metres so it will be widened to seven metres,” Mr Ndhlovu said.
