PRESIDENT BANDA COMMISSIONS MBESUMA BRIDGE, KASAMA-MBESUMA ROAD

KASAMA, Wednesday, August 17, 2011, –Republican President, Rupiah Banda, today, commissioned works on the construction of the Mbesuma Bridge and the Kasama-Mbesuma Road at a total cost of K320 billion.

The President also commissioned the completed Kasama-Luwingu Road which has cost K240 billion and will enhance connectivity between Luapula and Northern provinces, and open up the area to other parts of the country and neighboring countries.

Construction of the Mbesuma Bridge will cost approximately K50 billion and will take 15 months to compete while the 110-kilometre-long Kasama-Mbesuma Road will be upgraded at a contract sum of approximately K270 billion with a duration of two years.

The President said Government was confident that the contractor, China Geo Engineering, will deliver a quality road to the expectation of the Zambian people.

Once completed, the road and the bridge will bring immense benefits to Zambia in general and the local people of Northern Province in particular.

Apart from the road projects commissioned yesterday, President Banda’s Government, through the Road Development Agency, has also procured contractors to:

• upgrade the Kasama-Mporokoso road to bituminous standard at a cost of over K420 billion with the contractor expected to mobilise in the next few weeks; and

• tar the Mbala-Nakonde road, at a cost of over K800 billion kwacha.

The Head of State noted that countrywide infrastructure development has been on his Government’s priority list in the quest to drive the country’s agenda forward.

This year alone, President Banda has commissioned the rehabilitation of the Chipata-Lundazi Road in Eastern Province, the Isoka-Muyombe Road here in Northern Province and urban roads on the Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces.

“This is an indication that we are moving on the right track in terms of delivering economic development and improving the quality of life of our people, especially in rural areas. These achievements need to be celebrated and guarded jealously. My Government promises to do even more in the next five years,” the President said.