By JULIUS PHIRI? –

THE National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) has disbursed a cumulative total of K162.69 million (US $25.03 million) for rehabilitation works of the Great East Road between Nyimba and Sinda districts in Eastern Province.
The money disbursed was as at December 31, last year, which is wholly financed by African Development Bank (AfDB) on the rehabilitation of the Great East Road from Nyimba- Petauke- Sinda.
NRFA spokesperson Alphonsius Hamachila said the money disbursed was from $69.36 million to fund the rehabilitation of 114.78 kilometres of the Great East by AfDB.
Mr Hamachila said a total sum of K343.34 million (Euro 44.59 million) was disbursed under the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the rehabilitation of the Nacala Corridor –Great East road as of December 2014.
He explained that this was for the rehabilitation of the stretch from Luangwa to Nyimba, Sinda to Katete and Mtenguleni –Mwami Border Post.
The EIB and the Government of Zambia signed a Credit Agreement on December 12, 2011 for a total amount of Euro 80 million to fund the rehabilitation of 163.97 km of the Great East Road from Luangwa to Nyimba, Sinda to Katete, Mtenguleni-Mwami Border Post.
Meanwhile, at least 49 per cent of Petauke township roads have been tarred by Sable Transport and Construction Limited.
Petauke Council Secretary Pathias Sumba said yesterday that the contractor was working hard to ensure that the township roads were opened up.
Mr Sumba said some of the roads which the contractor had worked on include Fairview, Prisons, Ekada and Omelo Mumba.
He said so far, he was satisfied with the workmanship which Sable Transport and Construction Limited was exhibiting during the tarring of Petauke township roads.
Mr Sumba said Sable was expected to tar 19.05 kilometres of the township roads at a cost of K129 million.