HENRY SINYANGWE, Luangwa
THE 91-kilometre stretch of the Luangwa/Feira road in Eastern Province is 90 percent complete, barely two years after late president Michael Sata commissioned the project.
During an inspection tour on Friday, Road Development Agency (RDA) engineer contracts Emmanuel Zulu said the agency has so far paid K211 million out of the K314 million contract sum.
Mr Zulu said only 500 metres of the stretch is remaining to be tarred to bituminous standard.
“We can safely say only the markings and road liners are remaining and the surfacing of about 500 metres,” he said.
RDA senior manager for public relations Loyce Saili said the agency has recorded significant strides in implementing the Link Zambia 8000 project citing the Luangwa/Feira road as one of the successes of the project.
She said RDA is happy with the efficiency of the contractor, China Geo, which has undertaken the project within the stipulated time frame.
The contractor commenced works on the road project last year and was scheduled to complete in February next year.
Meanwhile, China Geo business manager William Wang said the company is committed to the timely execution of contracts to foster the development of the road network across the country.
And Bicon Zambia, the consultants of the project, assured Government and Zambians in general that the road is of high standard.
Resident engineer Patrick Chinyama said the contractor adhered to all the procedures in constructing the road.
And Chief Mpuka of the Chikunda people of Luangwa said the construction of the road will boost economic activities in the area as transportation of goods and services will be eased.
Luangwa district administrative officer Jairos Simukoko said the arrival of tourists to watch the confluence of the Luangwa and Zambezi River has increased following the construction of the road.