By DELPHINE ZULU –
THE Link Zambia 8000 road project was initiated in 2012 resulting in a number of roads being launched countrywide by the Road Development Agency (RDA).
The project has opened up areas that were previously not accessible and linked districts and provinces thus reducing the cost of doing business.
The Link Zambia 8000 has also connected Zambia with  neighbouring countries to help improve the nation’s economy once completed.
One of the road projects that has been completed is the 171.9 kilometre stretch connecting Zambia to Tanzania and Malawi.
The road was built by China CAMC Engineering company at a cost of US$180,000.  Locally, the road will ease people’s movements as it connects Muchinga to Northern Provinces via Luapula, this is the first time there has been such a link between the three provinces since 1948.
RDA senior manager – public relations, Loyce Saili, was on the spot to conduct final inspections before the commissioning of the road.
The physical benefit is the reduction in travel time from the eight long hours people used to endure before the completion of the road to just less than two hours.
The bus fare which used to be K150 has since been reduced to K50.
“I am here to announce on behalf of Government that RDA has completed the Mbala-Nakonde Road and we are impressed with the quality of the highway especially that it has already been opened to traffic,” Ms Saili said.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
The road project is part of a transport corridor which runs from Karonga on the shores of Lake Malawi to Mpulungu on Lake Tanganyika in Zambia.
As a result of this road, business opportunities will increase between Zambia and Malawi as well as Tanzania.
The revenue being collected has doubled due to the increased number of trucks using the road.
Paul Njekiwa, a truck driver and trader who was found transporting over 1,500 bags of cement from Kasama enroute to Tanzania, said completion of the Mbala-Nakonde Road is a big achievement for the Zambian Government. He said the road would also benefit Tanzania and Malawi.
“There are so many businesses that have suffered due to the poor road network in the past, now that this road is complete and open to traffic, you will be shocked how many trucks and vehicles will be passing here,” he said.
EMPLOYMENT
The project has helped some people in Muchinga, Northern and Luapula provinces to acquire special skills after being trained by the contractors.
Those who have been trained can now work in any construction company without difficulty.
Some of the people who have been trained have been engaged by RDA to continue working and are also imparting the skills and knowledge they have acquired to the newly employed.
Mr Rodwell Mpundu, 89, said his sons are part of a group of Mbala residents that have benefited from the job creation in the area.
“What more can one ask from the Government, it has delivered the good road and empowered my family and we are excited indeed,” he said.
In Mbala, about 20 solar milling plants will be installed as soon as a Chinese delegation which is already in the area conducts a feasibility study.
Residents said they are excited with the development which government was taking to the area. They said with the completion of the road, it would be easy to access any place and the area would be transformed economically.
EDUCATION
Mbala district administrator Kedrick Sikombe said the road has made it easy for the ministry of Education to open St Mary’s Technical College which would help school leavers in the provinces access higher education.
Mr Sikombe said a further 14 primary schools had been upgraded to Secondary schools to enable pupils complete their education within their localities.
Some pupils spoke to especially those who used to stay away from school during the rainy season when the old road became impassable, expressed happiness at the completion of the new road.
“Because the road is accessible, it will now be easy to access social facilities such as schools and hospitals and so far, the opening of St Mary’s Technical College is a plus to the people of Northern Province,” Mr Sikombe said.
AGRICULTURE
Melody Nachilyange said she has benefited a lot from the time the road was opened to traffic and she was now able to take her maize to Tanzania for sell.
She said she and other local farmers had organised themselves into groups and together, they book one truck to take their produce to Tanzania and were able to get back to Mbala the same day.
“We are widows. Our husbands died several years ago, leaving us with children. We are not complaining or suffering because we are using this good road to conduct business and feed our children as well as paying rentals and school fees,” she said.
Other farmers said they are able to transport their farm produce to various destinations without facing any serious challenges or sleeping on the road like it used to be six years ago.
The farmers are also able to access farming inputs on time due to the accessibility of the road.
After completion, the road has 161 pipe culverts, nine box culverts, four lay bys, 49 bus bays of type A and eleven of type B.
The completion of the Mbala-Nakonde Road will enable all types of traffic to flow from Mansa, Kasama, Mpulungu, and Mbala and into neighbouring countries.
By the time the Link Zambia 8000 hands over all the road projects, the nation will no doubt be a haven of massive economic development.