. Mukanga

By JULIUS PHIRI –
GOVERNMENT says it will continue with the Link Zambia 8000 road project in order for more areas in the country to become accessible.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said yesterday that Government would not abandon the project because it was good as it was aimed at opening up more areas across the country.
Mr Mukanga said the project was vital to Zambians because once done, more economic development would be fostered in the country as a result of the good road networks.
The minister said currently, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was constructing the Chipata-Chadiza and Vubwi roads in Eastern Province, Bottom Road in Southern Province and Kalabo-Mongu Road in Western Province.
The minister said the PF Government was aware  that the good road network was cutting the cost of doing business.
He said the Government has made significant efforts to improve the road network as seen in the increased amounts allocated to the sector in the past three years.
The minister said the Government had embarked on a massive programme to develop roads and other infrastructure which would benefit every part of the country.
Mr Mukanga said the Government recognises the need to intensify efforts in closing the development gap between the rural and urban areas.
He said Government would continue doing everything possible to foster infrastructure developments across the country.
“Government wants to see that, through Link Zambia 8000 project, all areas should be opened up across all the ten provinces of the country.
So as Government we shall not abandon a good project link the Link Zambia 8000,” he said.
Mr Mukanga said Government was also paying the contractors who were executing the Link Zambia 8000 Road Project.
He cited an example of China State that was constructing the Chipata-Chadiza Road that had been paid by the Government.