SEVERAL Mongu youths engaged by contractors constructing drainages, pavements and walkways on the recently tarred roads in the provincial capital under a Ministry of Local Government and Housing-financed undertaking say they have been saved from idling.
But other residents have asked the government to expedite the planned construction of a new stadium in Mongu as promised by President Michael Sata immediately he took office.
Twenty-six-year-old Sindwa Namataa is one of 30 youths employed by a local contractor to carry out construction of a drainage and walkway on what was previously known as Airport road but now called Freedom Way.
“The development is quite visible, Mongu is changing,” said Namataa shortly before he proceeded to join his workmates who were already being supervised by the project foreman, Mike Tembo. “We never used to see change in infrastructure and now we are seeing good works.”
Namataa’s workmate, Mike Mutumba, 22 said what was happening in Mongu in terms of infrastructural development was unprecedented.
A resident of Mongu Airport compound, Gladys Kanyanga, said women like her were grateful to the government for the improved road network in the town.
“We used to suffer a lot and we will be more thankful when they finally move into the road passing through the town centre because it was very small,” said Kanyanga in reference to the Independence Avenue that is already being rehabilitated by China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) under the K213-million Mongu urban road tarring programme.
Taxi drivers Sinali Sinali and Simbi Sitenge also expressed delight over the road works but asked the government to extend the programme to the province’s rural areas where they said the road network was in a deplorable state.
“We are very happy about the roads, at least there is development. We were in problems like here in the town centre because even vehicles could not go past each other without running a risk of hitting into each other,” Sinali said. “The other [developmental] issues are numerous but the government cannot do them at the same time because the country is big. But on the roads they have done well.”
He asked the government to quickly work on the Mongu-Limulunga road which, according to him, was also not in a good state.
“The stadium should also be done because the one we have is also a problem,” said Sinali. “If the government implements the things they promised, then they are doing well.”
North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu being help coming out of the caterpillar during the launch of Mongu 10 Kilometre urban road project costing 173 million kwacha
China geo Engineer Mr Lie Tao ushers the way to North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu and Induna Inete from Baroste Royal Establishment during the launch of Mongu 10 Kilometre urban road project costing 173 million kwacha