By SARAH MWANZA –
THE L-400 road project in Lusaka is facing implementation problems with one instance where two farm owners are denying access through their farms.
The matter has since been taken up by the Ministry of Lands to try and find an amicable solution. This has contributed to the slow pace at which the works are going on.
By contrast, two other road projects, the Link Zambia 8000 and Pave Zambia 2000, are progressing well.
Road Development Agency (RDA) senior manager, public relations, Loyce Saili said that the conduct of the two farmers had affected works on the Chazanga-Kabanana Road project as they had refused to allow the road to pass through their farms.
Ms Saili said land acquisition on some road, especially in build-up locations was an additional challenge.
“It should be noted that there are a number of challenges associated with the project, particularly that it is being implemented in a build-up area,” Ms Saili said.
“Land acquisition on some roads, especially in build-up areas is a challenge.
There is a case on the Chazanga to Kabanana Road where two farm owners cannot allow the road to pass through their farms.”
Other difficulties are a lack of drawings from utility companies regarding their service lines and relocation of services such as the need to demolish structures and re-route service lines for different utility companies.
The lack of necessary drawings has in some cases resulted in damaging service lines during the works.
The L400 has so far reached 107.358 kilometres, representing 26.31 per cent while a total of three kilometres has been paved.
But the Link Zambia 8000 has recorded remarkable progress with approximately 409.98 kilometres of the 2,696.09km covered.
Theremaining 2,287km is at various stages of construction.
Ms Saili said that as of March 31, 2015 about 409.98km of roads under Link Zambia 8000 had been surfaced out of the 2,696.09km. The remaining 2,287km are at various
stages of construction.
The Pave Zambia works are equally at various stages, among them, the purchase of block paver-making equipment and distribution to the 10 provinces, purchase of earthmoving equipment and their distribution.
Ms Saili said that three kilometres had been paved and several squares, which included the Freedom Statue Square in Lusaka and the car park opposite Embassy Park.
Others are a market in Petauke in Eastern Province while construction of roads using concrete pavers is under way in Lusaka’s Chawama Township.
Paving in other provinces would commence once the rainy season is over.