Maravi

NRFA disburses K165bn for countrywide road projects

NRFA disburses K165bn for countrywide road projects
By Kabanda Chulu
Monday July 16, 2007 [04:00]

NATIONAL Road Fund Agency (NRFA) has disbursed K165 billion for road projects in the country between January and June this year. And the NRFA has pledged to continue working with key players and stakeholders in ensuring a quality road network in Zambia through provision of adequate and financial resources for developing and maintaining the infrastructure.

According to a disbursement schedule made available by NRFA Spokesperson Alphonsius Hamachila yesterday, the total amount disbursed from the road fund and government funding amounted to K75 billion, while K57 billion had been disbursed under road projects being funded by the European Union.

He said that disbursements for World Bank funded projects amounted to US $7 million, with K3. 8 billion being disbursed under Danida funded projects.

“Some of the major disbursements from the road fund and government projects include K7 billion for the periodic maintenance of the Solwezi – Mutanda - Mwinilunga Road, K2.9 billion for the Supervision of upgrading of Kasama - Luwingu and rehabilitation of Kasama township Roads,” Hamachila said. “Other disbursements include K1.8 billion for the accelerated urban roads rehabilitation in Mansa district, K1.2 billion for the construction of the Chembe Bridge in Luapula Province and K1 billion for the upgrading of the Mutanda - Chavuma Road in North Western Province.”

Hamachila said road projects funded by the NRFA from the Road Fund and government projects translates into a total length of 12, 466 kilometres, across the country.
He said that major disbursements for projects being funded by the European Union include K13. 8 billion for the rehabilitation of Lusaka - Kabwe road and K7.8 billion for the performance based maintenance of Nakonde - Mbala road.

The disbursements made by the NRFA for the World Bank funded road projects include US $6 million for the rehabilitation of 34.7 kilometres of the Kafue Chirundu road, while K286 million has been spent from Danida for the labour-based road rehabilitation in Mumbwa district, among other projects.

The main source of local revenue for the Road Fund at the moment is Fuel Levy, and the Agency receives government allocation and coordinates phase two of the Road Sector Investment Programme (ROADSIP Phase II).

Other sources of funding are cooperating partners such as World Bank, European Union (EU), Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), and Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD), Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Germany, Japan, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and others.

Labels: ALPHONSIUS HAMACHILA, NRFA

posted by MrK @ 10:13 AM