John Kombe writes
Civic leaders in one of the main agriculture areas of Chongwe have bemoaned stalled works on key feeder roads in their wards.
The two civic leaders expressed displeasure at the stalling of road works on feeder roads in their area. They allege that the contractors in their respective areas have since disappeared.
In an interview, Mwalumina ward area councillor, Amos Malubila disclosed that a 22.5 kms of a key road in the area was to be upgraded and the contractor had started the works. He was however disappointed that the contractor had done less than 4 kms of work since January and had since demobilized. He said that this was unfortunate because the rains were just around the corner.
According to him, the grading of feeder roads in the area was important because this was one of the key agriculture areas in the district. He was of the view that the local authority had not been helpful in ensuring that the contractors did the right thing.
And Katoba ward councillor, Charles Moyo observed that the abandoning of works on feeder roads was unfortunate. He disclosed that the local authority informed him that the contractor, Darwin Enterprises was not paid hence the stalling of the works.
The civic leader however argued that the contractor should not have started the works in the first place because some bridges were brought down in readiness for works which have not even progressed. He said that the bridges that have been brought down and the roads that have been partially done were now impassable.
He said that the abandoned works would pose a challenge to the farmers in the area who need to access agriculture inputs in Chongwe CBD. He said that the farmers in the area would also have difficulties in taking their produce to the market. He therefore appealed to the government to ensure that the roads are done before the onset of the rains.
