•THE Luangwa-Feira Road before it was tarred.

By CLEVER ZULU –
IN this time and era, it sounds strange that some people in Zambia especially in the rural areas have not seen or moved on a tarred road since they were born.
One area where some people had not seen a tarred road was in Luangwa in Lusaka Province where the Luangwa-Feira Road has been constructed.
William Mvula, a musician in Luangwa who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, was happy to see a tarred road in the area for the first time.
“IT feels good to see a tarred road in Luangwa for the first time. I am a very proud person right now,” he says.
He says, despite him having seen a tarred road that leads to the Luangwa Bridge, his children have, however, not seen one.
The status quo is, however, steadily changing as most of the roads in the rural areas are being constructed, rehabilitated or upgraded.
So, it all begun on February 13, 2013, Luangwa when there was a hive of activities when late president Michael Sata launched the construction of the Luangwa – Feira Road at a cost of K314 million.
The contract was given to China Geo Engineering Construction Company (CGC) and the scope of work to be undertaken on the road, according to resident engineer Patrick Chinyama, included the upgrading to bituminous standard of the 91 kilometre stretch, clearing the bush, drainage works, putting up of more than 300 culverts, pavements layers, cement stabilised surface and fog spray.
Mr Chinyama says road marking and furniture works were what remaining to be included on the stretch and that no major challenges have been experienced during the execution period.
So far more than 90 per cent of the works on the project have been completed and that feat has elated people from all walks of life in Luangwa District including Chief Mpuka of the Chikunda people of Luangwa District.
“I wish the president (Michael Sata) was here to see the completion of the project which he started.
People of Luangwa are very happy with this development,” he said.
The Luangwa – Feira Road will ease travel to the border town of Feira which borders Zambia and Mozambique. The road will also easy travelling hurdles for cross border fish traders and tourists into the area. Agricultural produce will also be transported to the market easily.
Luangwa District administrative officer Jairos Simukoko says the economy of Luangwa has improved since the project started as 500 people had been employed thereby increasing the purchasing power which in turn has attracted more investment in the border town.
The cost of transport has reduced with travelling time also reduced by over half.
“We used to take four hours to travel from here (Luangwa) to the bridge but now it takes two hours. Even the cost of maintaining vehicles has reduced drastically.”
The number of tourists has increased from less than 100 the previous year to more than 200 this year.
Luangwa District boast of wildlife and the confluence of Luangwa and Zambezi Rivers as tourists’ attractions, Mr Simukoko said.
Charity Kanyunyu, a fish trader praised the Government over the ambitious road infrastructure development taking place not only in Luangwa but also in the other parts of the country.
“Business is now flowing smoothly because we take less time to travel thereby reducing the cost,” Ms Kanyunyu says
Previously traders used to take the whole day travelling using trucks but currently, it takes five to six hours of travel from the harbour to the bridge.
She transports her stock to Angola and DR Congo where salted fish is on high demand.
Another local business executive Julius Banda thanked the government for the development saying it is now easy to do business as transportation had greatly improved.
“We used to encounter a lot of challenges when transporting goods from the main road to here (Luangwa) but now it’s easy. Even distributors are now willing to bring their products here because the road is good,” he added.
A transporter Felix Phiri who drives a light truck said his vehicle’s life span will increase because the road is now in good state.
“The cost of repair has reduced now since this road was opened to traffic. Am no longer required to change springs and tyres every now and then,” he said.
Mr Phiri added that he is now forced to reduce the hiring price because of the reduced cost of running his transport business.
A senior citizen Beatrice Mulima said her children are happy that they are seeing a tarred road in their area for the first time unlike in the past when they were being told by friends who had visited the bridge on Great East road where the road is tarred.
The project is expected to be fully completed by February 2014 as per schedule with only 500 metres remaining to be upgraded to bituminous standard but the intended social, economical and environmental benefits of the project are already being seen.
Road Development Agency (RDA) engineer Emmanuel Zulu said, “the project is almost done with 500 metres left to be upgraded and road markings and some furniture also to be included.”
Engineer Zulu added that utility companies have made it possible for the project to be delivered on time because of their corporation with the agency.
“Companies like Zesco and Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company have been helpful when called upon to help with moving their properties,” he said.
With the client happy, the residents happy and the user of the road happy, the contractor it is expected should be happy too with his work.
China Geo Construction Company business manager William Weng said his company is also happy with the high quality and successful completion of the road in the next few weeks.
Luangwa is seeing a tarred road for the first time in Zambia’s history and thus a lot sensitisation needs to be done for local resident on the proper use of the road.
“The RDA is planning for sensitization campaigns on road safety and vandalism of road furniture, so that residents are made aware of the dangers of vandalism and how to use the road safely,” RDA public relations senior manager Loyce Saili said.
Ms Saili added that the agency is very happy with the tremendous project the contractor has scored on the project.
The Luangwa – Feira road becomes the second road to be completed under the Link Zambia 8000 road project that was started by Mr Sata after the Leopards Hill Road in Lusaka was also completed.
Many other roads are being constructed other parts of the country and are expected to be completed in the next few years.
It is hoped that any leader who takes over from the departed president continues to land link Zambia.