IT is good that nearly all constituencies in Zambia have invested the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to procure earth-moving equipment so that feeder roads, especially in the rural areas are worked on.
This initiative is indeed laudable and it is hoped that the machinery which is being procured will be put to good use.
The act of buying these graders is not an end in itself.
Unfortunately, most of the times, these graders are usually found parked at councils doing nothing, all because the local authorities have no funds to buy fuel.
As a result of not being properly utilised, these very expensive machines are being cannibalised, thereby creating another cost on the already financially strained local authorities.
The central government has come up with the ambitious Link Zambia 8000 road project which is aimed at improving the entire road network in the country.
However, local authorities too can supplement central government’s efforts by making sure that roads under their charge are worked on and that proper budgets are made in that direction.
Otherwise, the notion of just procuring the graders and later abandon them will just prove to be a sheer waste of resources.
The issue of not having enough funds to buy fuel should not arise. Councils can also get into business by hiring out the said equipment to raise funds for use to buy fuel and provide other social services.
Kafulafuta Constituency on the Copperbelt should, therefore, be commended for taking up this initiative to procure heavy road equipment at the cost of K2.1 million.
The people in the area, mostly farmers expect the feeder roads in the rural constituency to be worked on.
Many times farmers in the outskirts face difficulties in transporting their produce to the market because of the poor road network.
The situation should now improve now that several constituencies have bought graders to work on the roads.
Constituents too should take keen interest to ensure that the machinery is put to good use.
They should hold councils responsible through their councillors who represent them in the council meetings.
So, it is expected that as Government rolls out the road rehabilitation exercise, local authorities too should supplement Government’s drive by ensuring that township and feeder roads are equally routinely worked on.
If this is consistently done, Zambia’s roads will take a different shape in the next 10 years.