Maravi

Rupiah admits road network is bad

Rupiah admits road network is bad
By Ernest Chanda
Mon 30 May 2011, 04:02 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has admitted that the road network in the country is bad.
Launching the K300 billion Lusaka urban road rehabilitation works on Saturday in Mandevu compound, President Banda said there could be no meaningful development without proper road infrastructure.

“Our compounds have been in a very deplorable state as far as roads are concerned, not only here in Lusaka but also in other towns around the country. And these roads have been in this bad state for a very long time.

And those against us have been condemning us over these bad roads, but they forget that their president was a minister. He was number three in cabinet, he did nothing,” President Banda said in apparent reference to Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata.

“We know that the roads are not good, that is why we are going to do something about them. And tomorrow those who hate us will ask in their favourite newspaper ‘where will they find the money’? We know how to make that money, we are clever people; we know how to design the budget.

We will improve these roads so that mailo akadwale mumala amambala so that our critics may get shocked!”

And President Banda said he had sourced US$3 million from the ministry of finance to improve the University of Zambia library and staff houses.

He said the money would also be used to improve student allowances at the country’s biggest tertiary institution.

President Banda also commissioned a new system of paying Zesco bills, a replica of the 2001 campaign period Bill Buster.

In the new system, customers who wish to be connected to the Zesco power network would no longer be required to pay installation fees at once before they get connected.

They will be required to apply and pay a minimal amount depending on their location, and the rest will be paid over a period of three years.

“Because we are a caring government we sat down with Zesco and the ministry of energy, and we brought you a wonderful system of paying for your electricity without feeling it.

Customers who wish to have their houses electrified will be connected without paying any capital contribution. At the moment the capital contribution costs between K769,000 and K2,783,000, which is paid upfront.

The capital cost will now be recovered from residential customers in installments that will be paid over a period of 24 months through a prepaid meter system,’ said President Banda. “This initiative will provide reliable and affordable power in our homes without putting too much pressure on our families.

Zesco is also introducing new geysers that do not depend on electricity. Solar geysers will be installed free of charge to all interested residential customers. Zesco will finance the geyser installation programme. This will be done through proceeds earned by selling saved electricity.”

Labels: ROADS, RUPIAH BANDA, ZESCO

posted by MrK @ 5:49 PM