Sunday, September 01, 2013

Sata appoints Mushota RDA boss
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Sun 04 Aug. 2013, 14:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has appointed Charles Mushota as Road Development Agency chief executive officer, replacing Bernard Chiwala.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Mwimba Malama said Chiwala had been "promoted" to permanent secretary in a portfolio to be announced later by minister Yamfwa Mukanga.

"So, let's not speculate about these changes," said Malama in an interview on Friday. "The minister will soon tell the nation what Chiwala's new role will be, but he has been promoted PS."
Until the recent promotion, Mushota served as RDA director of construction and rehabilitation.

Chiwala, who was appointed RDA chief executive officer last September to be in charge of the government's Link Zambia 8,000 project which was launched and directly supervised by President Sata, is one of the shortest-serving heads of RDA.


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Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Sindaza implores RDA to expedite re-designing of Batoka-Maamba rd
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Tue 02 Apr. 2013, 14:00 CAT

SINAZONGWE district commissioner Dodo Sindaza has appealed to the Road Development Agency to speed up the re-designing of the Batoka-Maamba road as it cannot withstand the heavy loads of equipment meant for the thermal power plant.

And the government has released 1,800 bags of maize for sale at KR60 each following an appeal for relief food by Sinazongwe member of parliament Richwell Siamunene.

In an interview, Sindaza said the RDA was alive to the fact that the Batoka-Maamba road was too old and could not withstand the heavy loads meant for the thermal power plant.

"The RDA should quicken the re-designing of the Batoka-Mamba road so that it can withstand the heavy equipment which will be ferried to Maamba Collieries for the thermal power plant. The RDA confirmed that they will redesign the road because it is old and cannot withstand the heavy loads which will be coming to Sinazongwe," Sindaza said.

He said Maamba Collieries had by Friday started the installation of steel pillars for the thermal power plant after the completion of the foundation.

On relief food, Sindaza said he would request for more maize from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) should the 1,800 bags released run out.

"Government has released 1,800x50-kilogramme bags of maize for sale after the area member of parliament Richwell Siamunene requested for relief food due to the area being hit by drought, the maize will be sold at KR60 per bag and the most affected areas are the southern parts of the district," he said.

Sindaza said roads in the district were in a poor state and the government had moved soldiers in the area to work on some bridges that were washed away.

"There are bridges along Siameja road that were washed away and soldiers are on site to work with the DMMU," said Sindaza.


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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

RDA to pay BY's company K44bn over termination of contract

RDA to pay BY's company K44bn over termination of contract
By Mwala Kalaluka
Tue 12 Feb. 2013, 15:00 CAT

FORMER defence minister Ben Mwila's company, Wade Adams Piling, will be paid about K44 billion by RDA over its terminated K80 billion Landless Corner-Mumbwa road project.

Mwila succeeded in the arbitration process against Road Development Agency (RDA), which terminated the road contract due to non-performance on Wade Adams' part.

But the RDA says the procurement process to engage a new contractor to complete the stalled Landless Corner-Mumbwa road project following the termination of the Wade Adams contract in November 2011, was advanced.

Sources close to the issue told The Post that Mwila's firm, which had contested the termination of the road contract in the courts of law, had emerged victorious from the arbitration process after the terminated contract's arbitration clause was brought into perspective.

"They just went into the arbitration clause; this is a clause that is in the contract in case of disputes and they found that the RDA handled that contract carelessly from the beginning," the source said.
"So BY Ben Mwila has been awarded about K44 billion and this is money that has been committed to the government."

The sources, however, said out of the K44 billion, Wade Adams Piling was expected to pay off about K11.5 billion that was advanced to it as 15 per cent advance payment prior to commencing the futile road works.

Wade Adams Piling was also advanced with a performance bond of K8 billion and at the time of the termination of the above road contract, the RDA had written to the bank and the insurance firm that guaranteed the performance bond in order to recover the whole amount.

Wade Adams Piling had only done 11 per cent works on the 65-kilometre stretch, which was supposed to be upgraded from gravel to tarred road, at the time the contract was terminated.
Mwila, when asked to comment on the matter yesterday, referred all queries to his lawyers Malambo and Company.

"I have got lawyers, specifically Mr Haimbe (Hamakuni). He is the one you should ask," said Mwila without divulging further details.
But when asked to confirm the new twist in the Landless Corner-Mumbwa road project termination issue, RDA chief executive officer Bernard Chiwala said on Friday that the only thing he knew was that a fresh contractor was being sought.

"Those details," said Chiwala when asked on the K44 billion to be paid to Mwila. "All I know is we are getting a new contractor. We have advanced. The tender is closing on 22nd February, 2013. I haven't been briefed. All I know is that the tender is closing on 22nd February."


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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

RDA to pay BY's company K44bn over termination of contract

RDA to pay BY's company K44bn over termination of contract
By Mwala Kalaluka
Tue 12 Feb. 2013, 15:00 CAT

FORMER defence minister Ben Mwila's company, Wade Adams Piling, will be paid about K44 billion by RDA over its terminated K80 billion Landless Corner-Mumbwa road project.

Mwila succeeded in the arbitration process against Road Development Agency (RDA), which terminated the road contract due to non-performance on Wade Adams' part.

But the RDA says the procurement process to engage a new contractor to complete the stalled Landless Corner-Mumbwa road project following the termination of the Wade Adams contract in November 2011, was advanced.

Sources close to the issue told The Post that Mwila's firm, which had contested the termination of the road contract in the courts of law, had emerged victorious from the arbitration process after the terminated contract's arbitration clause was brought into perspective.

"They just went into the arbitration clause; this is a clause that is in the contract in case of disputes and they found that the RDA handled that contract carelessly from the beginning," the source said.
"So BY Ben Mwila has been awarded about K44 billion and this is money that has been committed to the government."

The sources, however, said out of the K44 billion, Wade Adams Piling was expected to pay off about K11.5 billion that was advanced to it as 15 per cent advance payment prior to commencing the futile road works.

Wade Adams Piling was also advanced with a performance bond of K8 billion and at the time of the termination of the above road contract, the RDA had written to the bank and the insurance firm that guaranteed the performance bond in order to recover the whole amount.

Wade Adams Piling had only done 11 per cent works on the 65-kilometre stretch, which was supposed to be upgraded from gravel to tarred road, at the time the contract was terminated.
Mwila, when asked to comment on the matter yesterday, referred all queries to his lawyers Malambo and Company.

"I have got lawyers, specifically Mr Haimbe (Hamakuni). He is the one you should ask," said Mwila without divulging further details.

But when asked to confirm the new twist in the Landless Corner-Mumbwa road project termination issue, RDA chief executive officer Bernard Chiwala said on Friday that the only thing he knew was that a fresh contractor was being sought.

"Those details," said Chiwala when asked on the K44 billion to be paid to Mwila. "All I know is we are getting a new contractor. We have advanced. The tender is closing on 22nd February, 2013. I haven't been briefed. All I know is that the tender is closing on 22nd February."

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Saturday, January 26, 2013

RDA plans tollgate system

RDA plans tollgate system
By Henry Sinyangwe
Fri 25 Jan. 2013, 13:20 CAT

THE Road Development Agency (RDA) plans to start building a toll-gate system across Zambia's national road network by the end of the year, says chief executive officer Bernard Chiwala.

And Chiwala says the Agency had a challenge of using all the disbursed funds to the road sector due to lengthy procurement procedures.

He said the Agency expected to raise about 25 per cent (about KR1 billion) of its annual budget from the planned toll gates which would go towards roads maintenance.
"We have appointed the road tolling manager and in the next four
months, they will begin the works to prepare for the installation of
toll gates. We will install them on 17 selected sites which we have
already identified. We are expecting by June, we will have concluded
this plan, with building to begin in the second half of the year,"
he said.

The routes the RDA will initially focus on tolling are those linking Livingstone, the tourist capital and Nakonde bordering
Tanzania.

And Chiwala said governments of Zambia and Botswana earlier this month
appointed engineers in charge of building the planned $260 million
bridge that would link the two countries at Kazangula.
"We are planning to start the construction next year in April. It will
take four years to build the 923-meter (3,028-foot) bridge," he said.
Chiwala said all the required funding had been secured for the project.
And on the Chingola-Solwezi Road, Chiwala said the Agency would soon
move on site to maintain it.

"We will be moving onto site for the Chingola-Solwezi and also the
Kabwe-Kapiri. The tolling will address the aspect of trucks on the roads because we will be charging them more towards the maintenance of the roads," he said.

Addressing contractors yesterday, Chiwala said the Agency also faced
challenges of shoddy works, poor designs and uncaring supervision.

He said the country had enough material to undertake the 8000-kilometre Link Zambia Project.
"Don't entice our people in anyway so that the can give the contracts. We will give the evaluating process to independent evaluators to increase transparency. And some people have said the Link Zambia 8000 Project will not work, why should it not? asked Chiwala.


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Thursday, November 01, 2012

'Zambia's road network has potential to facilitate trade'

'Zambia's road network has potential to facilitate trade'
By Brina Manenga-Siwale in Livingstone
Thu 01 Nov. 2012, 12:30 CAT

THE Road Development Agency says Zambia has an extensive road network with potential to facilitate trade and commerce.

Making his presentation during the on-going African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA) annual general meeting in Livingstone on Monday, RDA senior manager for construction and maintenance Charles Mushota said the extensive road network would provide the country with good internal access to agriculture and tourism areas.

He said it was unfortunate that most roads were in a deplorable state.
"Due to many years of neglect, the condition of the road infrastructure had deteriorated to an extent that at the end of the 1970s, only 40-50 per cent was considered to be in good condition. By the beginning of the 1990s the value of the network had shrunk to US$1.5 billion from US$2.3 billion in the 1970s and only 20 per cent of the network was in good condition," Mushota said.

He said the roads in Zambia and some parts of Africa have continued to deteriorate despite attempts by the World Bank and donor support to save the road network.

Mushota said the government recognised the key role road infrastructure plays in realising sustainable economic development.

"In the view of the new government, the unmet demand for physical infrastructure to support the delivery of transport services limits economic opportunity and is therefore a major barrier to the achievement of meaningful national development," he said.

Mushota said the government would rehabilitate and upgrade the existing road network, including feeder roads in all districts, to prescribed standards.

He said the government would construct ring roads around major cities to decongest the central business districts.

"The construction of roads will promote employment creation through the use of labour intensive technologies and the use of local resources," said Mushota.


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Thursday, September 20, 2012

(LUSAKATIMES) President Sata launches Link Zambia and declares that he has taken over RDA contracts

President Sata launches Link Zambia and declares that he has taken over RDA contracts
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, September 20, 2012, 1:15 pm

President Michael Sata this morning launched the Link Zambia 8000 Project and the construction of a bridge at Chongwe River.

President Sata said the project marks the beginning of many road construction projects as outlined by the PF government during the election campaigns.

He said the PF government has started fulfilling some of the election promises as can be evidenced by the creation of new districts and the construction of new roads.

President Sata also promised to work on the Palabana and Chalimbana Roads as a way of opening up the country.

He said he had promised the people of Chongwe during the official opening of Parliament that he would deliver a good road network adding that the launch of the project is a fulfillment of that promise.

President Sata has also requested that MP’s should submit a list of priority roads in their respective constituencies in order to speed up the identification of road construction projects.

He said donors are willing to fund such projects but that Zambia needs to show that it has capacity to deliver.

Meanwhile, President Sata has announced that he has taken over the supervision of all road contracts under the Roads Development Agency to ensure efficiency and transparency.

He said the RDA will now not report to the Ministry of Works and Supply but State House in order to address corruption allegations at the agency.

President Sata said the RDA should be weary of some individuals and organisations that may seek road contracts using his name.

The Link Zambia Project will result in the construction of about 2, 290 kilometres of roads at an estimated cost of K7.9 trillion in the first phase of the project.

The Link Project will also go over Chongwe River and connect to Feira right through to Luangwa Bridge.

The road will provide a link to Kasisi, Chipembi, Chalimbana and Palabana among other areas.


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Saturday, June 16, 2012

Government procurement agencies need cleansing - Mukanga

Government procurement agencies need cleansing - Mukanga
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe and Simeon Gboun
Sat 16 June 2012, 13:25 CAT

ALL government agencies and ministries dealing in procurement processes need cleansing to achieve efficiency and rid them of corruption, says works and supply minister Yamfwa Mukanga.

On Thursday, Vice-President Dr Guy Scott said the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) need cleansing and panel beating to improve on delivery of projects, especially in the road sector.

But sources say RDA does not have the capacity to effectively procure road works worth K4.2 trillion planned for this year following the dismissal of the entire procurement team last year in November by executive director Dr Michael Mulenga.

Vice-President Scott complained in Isoka that institutions like RDA and ZPPA did not seem to be up and carrying on working.

"There seems to be a lot of foot dragging going on inside these institutions and I think they need cleansing," said Vice-President Scott. "They need panel beating because the money is there...we don't want to open the door to corruption…to single-sourcing but at the same time we want to make the system work, that's the challenge that we have."

Reinforcing Vice-President Scott's concerns, Mukanga said there was need for government procurement agencies to work freely and transparently to be accountable to the nation.

"It is not only these institutions that require cleansing. I would like to extend this to all government agencies and ministries dealing in procurement processes," Mukanga said yesterday when he officiated at the RDA-organised "Roads Indaba" at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka yesterday.

Mukanga said it was time for all officers involved in procurement procedures to start declaring their interests in companies they own.

"Even as RDA, declare your interest in the companies you own so that we know that you own a company; you own this and you own that company so that when time comes for giving out contracts, it will be done transparently and it will be better because we will see a situation where people will definitely become almost corrupt-free," he said.

"That is the cleansing we are talking about. This perhaps will help us to work transparently and free; and corrupt-free in the issuance of contracts. It will definitely reduce the corrupt tendencies that people have been talking about. We need to point figures, not at others, but ourselves and see how best we can contribute to the change of the environment."

Mukanga said the government would not tolerate sub-standard performance among contractors in the road sector.

"Government will not sit back and see its coffers being depleted without corresponding progress in infrastructure development," said Mukanga. "Government is ready to reward quality delivered projects and will deal swiftly and decisively with poor performers. It cannot be business as usual, we are in a hurry to see that there is progress."

Earlier, Dr Mulenga said RDA was concerned about the performance of some contractors and consultants.

"Our major concern is the workmanship in some road projects," said Dr Mulenga. "We believe that the presentations during the Roads indaba will greatly help in refocusing ourselves to the funders, the government and people of Zambia…"

And sources within ministry of works and supply said RDA currently had "serious procurement bottlenecks".

"The guys who knew and understood how to draw tender documents have all been fired and right now, RDA has a backlog of works that need to be procured but the questions is 'who is going to draw up the tender documents?' I wonder how the government is going to expend K4.2 trillion planned for this year," said the sources.

In November 2011, Dr Mulenga fired more than 15 senior and junior officers in the procurement department without giving any reason for the massive terminations.

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Friday, June 15, 2012

RDA, ZPPA need cleansing - Scott

RDA, ZPPA need cleansing - Scott
By Moses Kuwema in Isoka
Fri 15 June 2012, 13:25 CAT

VICE-President Dr Guy Scott says the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) need cleansing and panel beating.

Vice-President Scott's comments come in the wake of revelations by the provincial administration in Muchinga Province that funds for various works for the province were readily available but that the bureaucracy surrounding the procurement process was hampering implementation.

Vice-President Scott observed that there was a lot of foot dragging which was going on in the two institutions.

"The institutions like Road Development Agency, like Zambia Public Procurement Authority and so forth, don't seem to be up and carrying on working. There seems to be a lot of foot dragging going on inside these institutions and I think they need cleansing. They need panel beating because the money is there. Muchinga Province has not been deprived of money, what it has been deprived of is the administrative get up and go. We don't want to open the door to corruption…to single sourcing but at the same time we want to make the system work, that's the challenge that we have," Vice-President Scott said when he featured on a special programme on Iso FM yesterday.

And Vice-President Scott said the Farmer Input Support Programme and the maize buying programme of the Food Reserve Agency were extremely corrupted.

Vice-President Scott cited an example of Chama where three quarters of the maize that was bought and sold in the district came from neighbouring countries such as Malawi and Tanzania.

"…200, 000 tonnes of fertiliser went into the rural areas and where is it? It's all been rounded up by the smugglers and the traders and commercial farmers. Likewise for maize, the reason it is paid for late is that the money is being taken by the big people," he said.

He said there was need to clean up the system so that it could serve the small farmers.

"Zambia is a very corrupt place but the maize and fertiliser system is so corrupt. Once we have got the system under control, that's when we can fulfill our campaign promises of 10 bags of fertiliser. This system if it is not clean then we will break down," Vice-President Scott said.

And Vice-President Scott said the maize-buying exercise would commence in the next two weeks.

And featuring on the same programme, Muchinga Province minister Malozo Sichone said the Chinese contractor who built the Tazara railway was the same one who would be working on the Chama-Matumbo road and estimated the contract sum at K400 billion.


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Friday, March 02, 2012

RDA not impressed with road works in Ndola

RDA not impressed with road works in Ndola
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Fri 02 Mar. 2012, 10:59 CAT

ROAD Development Agency (RDA) director Michael Mulenga says he is not impressed with the road works being done by Fratelli Locci, a company contracted to rehabilitate roads in Ndola.

Dr Mulenga, however, said he is confident that the road works will be completed by June this year and ruled out the possibility of terminating Fratelli Locci's contract.

During his visit to urban roads rehabilitation and upgrading projects in Ndola and Luanshya yesterday, Dr Mulenga said termination of the contract would not be the best way to go although the completion of road works had been delayed by six months.

"The roads were supposed to be completed by November last year but I am informed that the main challenges faced by the contractor have been the accessing of materials for rehabilitation. There has been a shortage of these material especially bitumen which is bought from South Africa," he said.

Dr Mulenga said it was good that the contractors had subcontracted the works so as to create jobs for the local people.

He said the contractors were imparting skills in those that had been subcontracted and that RDA was making sure that the road works were inspected from time to time.

"We have consultants who go round checking the work and we also test materials to make sure the roads are of high quality," he said.

Dr Mulenga urged the contractors to speed up their work because the stakeholders were only interested in seeing the end product.

And Fratelli Locci Limited company project manager Stefano Silanus said the works were going on well because the rainy season was slowly coming to an end.

Silanus said the rains were the biggest obstacle, adding that they were sure of completing the roads by June this year.

"We are working very well with RDA. We had challenges of buying construction material because our major supply is South Africa but we are pushing works and we are confident that we will soon have the roads completed," said Silanus.

Meanwhile, RDA regional engineer Thomas Zimba said they were making progress on the works and that they were trying to catch up because the project had taken some time to be completed.

Zimba assured stakeholders that the project was moving on well, adding that they were going to deliver as intended.

He said most of the roads that they were working on were very important because they would decongest the city centre.

"The designs are of high standard and most of the roads being worked on will help decongest town centre. The Twapia, Lubuto road known as Kantolomba road, Chipulukusu road which is 4.3 km, and kalewa raod, are almost complete. Most of the works have been done," said Zimba.

And Luanshya City Council director of engineering Frank Mwakanandi thanked RDA for considering the town in the project.

Mwakanandi said most of the roads in Luanshya were in a deplorable state, adding that the council couldn't raise funds to rehabilitate them.

"We just hope that this project is extended to phase two. Major works have been done by Gomes which has been contracted to do the work. What we can say is that all works on the road in town are done and we are only remaining with Roan and Mpatamato," he said.

Mwakanandi said the contractor, Gomes, also faced the challenge of heavy rains and the supply of bitumen in the implementation of the project.


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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

RDA installing system to reduce corruption

RDA installing system to reduce corruption
By Moses Kuwema
Wed 22 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT

ROAD Development Agency executive director Dr Michael Mulenga says the institution is putting in place systems that will reduce incidences of corruption in the road sector. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Dr Mulenga said the institution would make sure that its procedures were well-documented.

"What I can say is that we are trying to put in systems by making sure that we have new management and we are trying as much as possible to have systems in place and once we have systems in place, then incidences of corruption can reduce," Dr Mulenga said.

Dr Mulenga said the RDA would involve stakeholders in carrying out its planning and that the procurement process would be done through a committee.

"We shall make sure that we do our work according to procedure. You notice in the past there were a few problems even in terms of implementing projects. Ideally you are supposed to make sure that the designs and all the preparatory work is ready before you implement but in the past we had the project starting, you are designing as well as implementing. So again that brings in a bit of confusion and of course, people are going to raise issues because you have not done the feasibility studies," he said.

And Dr Mulenga said the ongoing rehabilitation of road projects in Lusaka was set to be completed by the first half of this year.

"All these roads, we are hoping they will be completed within the first half of this year and in terms of how we are going to handle extensions of time and so on, we have to go on a case by case basis because all these contracts are individual contracts and there are others who have done well, and there are others who have not done so well. Generally speaking, I am impressed with the types of works," he said.

Dr Mulenga said the total budget for the entire project was K1 trillion and covered a stretch of 300 kilometres of paved urban roads.

"We also have some gravel roads of the order of 150 kilometres, those were implemented under the rural roads unit under the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications," said Dr Mulenga .

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Rupiah's associates' K117bn road deal under question

Rupiah's associates' K117bn road deal under question
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wed 15 Feb. 2012, 12:01 CAT

RUPIAH Banda's associates within the Road Development Agency dubiously contracted a Chinese company without any equipment to undertake a K117 billion road-upgrading project in Central Province.

Sources within the construction sector, the RDA and available documentation pertaining to the rehabilitation of urban roads in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi under the MMD's so-called, Formula One roads, reveal that China's Jiangsu Wujin, apart from issuing a fake security bond, did not have any road equipment.

The matter where Jiangsu Wujin submitted a fake bank security bond to obtain about K17 billion as advance payment against the road project is on-going before Lusaka chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda's court.

The sources said in this case, the Dr Michael Mulenga-led RDA was aware at the time of awarding the contract to Jiangsu Wujin, that the company had no equipment but that equipment from a local company was used to show that Jiangsu Wujin had equipment.

According to the documentation, Dr Mulenga on May 12, 2011 wrote a letter of intent to award Jiangsu Wujin the contract in question with the completion period planned for a month after the September 20, 2011 elections.

On June 10, 2011, Jiangsu Wujin Corporation director - operations and projects, Jim Daniel Mundambo, wrote the managing director of a local construction company, Mahoha Construction Limited, reminding them of the contract they signed on May 27, 2011 for the provision of equipment towards the road contract on a sub-contraction arrangement.

"I am therefore requesting you to set camp and mobilise all the equipment by Monday 13th June, 2011," Mundambo's letter read.

The documentation highlights that on June 22, 2011 an amount of K3,412, 550,000.00 was forwarded to Mahoha Construction Limited as payment for paving works Jiangsu Wujin Corporation sub-contracted the Zambian company to undertake on the Kabwe and Kapiri road projects.

But instead of the payment being forwarded by Jiangsu Wujin, which entered into the sub-contract with Mahoha Construction, the money was remitted through a Mufulira-based heavy plant and haulage company, Chubri Haulage Limited.

The company director Chungu Kabwe wrote a letter to the manager at Kitwe Standard Chartered Bank to transfer the said funds into Mahoha Construction's account number 0110053470013 domiciled at Lusaka Main Investrust Bank.

Two days later, Mahoha Construction chief executive officer, Saeli Kalaluka, described the above mode of payment as strange, especially in the absence of an explanation from Jiangsu Wujin on how Chubri Haulage Limited was coming into the picture when Mahoha was not sub-contracted by the Mufulira company.

However, on July 15, 2011, Mundambo again on behalf of Jiangsu Wujin wrote Chubri Haulage Limited managing director to pay Mahoha Construction over K2 billion against the sub-contracted road works.

Mundambo explained in his correspondence that the request was in accordance with the agreement between Chubri Haulage Limited and Wu Zhong Xian, chairman/president of Jiansgu Wujin, that the Mufulira company should pay for the order.

Sources said some of the senior managers still working at the RDA were fully aware of the circumstances under which Jiangsu Wujin was awarded and paid on the road contract.

The sources said even the road contract sum was inflated by K4 billion from the original project sum of K113 billion and that the RDA's explanation of the enhanced amount was that it would go towards 'elections'.

The source further said in a bid to save the termination of the road rehabilitation projects, which was pertinent to seeing the MMD being re-elected into office, the RDA management asked Mahoha Construction to fully take up the project.

On September 1, 2011 Dr Mulenga wrote the project consultant on the above road projects, NWE Zambia Consulting Engineers Limited, complaining of slow progress on the project.

Dr Mulenga pointed out that months after signing of the contract, the contractor had not fully mobilised on site.

"Progress on site is approximately 4% which is way behind schedule considering that 55% time has elapsed," Dr Mulenga stated.

Subsequently, on September 7, 2011 Central Province regional engineer, Gilbert Nkweto, wrote NWE Consulting Engineers Limited, resident engineer Renier Basson, asking that Mahoha Construction should take over stalled works on the road project.

"From the outcome of the meeting held at our offices this afternoon, you are further instructed to draw up a work program for completing the major works on Makululu Road by the 18th of September 2011," Nkweto stated.

Going by the documentation, the stalled road works were initially being undertaken by AMC Contractors, instead of Jiangsu Wujin, which had been awarded the road contract.

Few days after he took office as Zambia's fifth President, Michael Sata, dissolved the Luambe Mondoloka-led RDA board saying it was a conduit of corruption.



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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Evidence on corruption at RDA destroyed

Evidence on corruption at RDA destroyed
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wed 21 Dec. 2011, 13:45 CAT

VITAL evidence relating to on-going investigations into corruption activities at the Road Development Agency has allegedly been destroyed, according to security sources. And Road Development Agency executive director Dr Michael Mulenga has fired the entire procurement unit at the agency following procurement concerns.

Anti-Corruption Commission ACC sources close to the probe told The Post yesterday that some files relating to the queried road procurements, part of which were undertaken shortly before the September 20, 2011 general elections, had been burnt.

"They have burnt documents at RDA," the source said. "The investigations were targeting some of the senior people at the institution."

And RDA sources said, Dr Mulenga, who is among the people being targeted in the corruption probe at the road agency, has fired more than 15 senior and junior officers without giving any reason for the massive terminations.

"The whole procurement department has been fired. Then there is Sikazwe Kapembwa, he was chief engineer planning, Siwale Kapembwa, senior manager design too," the source said.

The sources said the firing of the whole Procurement Unit was not strange because there had been problems there.

The sources said Nason Balashi, a senior advisor who acted as RDA chief executive officer following the firing of former director, Erasmus Chilundika and three others over procurement-related matters, had also been fired.

"The other is Akabondo Munalula, senior manager road maintenance initiative," the source said. "For Akabondo, we can understand because of the way he came into RDA."

The sources said another person fired was the chief engineer for reconstruction, Richard Kasongo.

"Dr Mulenga also fired one of the old engineers at RDA, Justin Silupumbwe," the source said. "The problem is that Dr Mulenga has fired some people that had nothing to do with the corruption. So the people will perceive them as being corrupt."

The sources said the firings would have an adverse impact on the implementation of projects in the road sector, especially that some senior managers being probed for corruption were still working.

When reached for a comment on the matter, Dr Mulenga said he was not ready to comment, as he was in the middle of a meeting.

President Michael Sata recently dissolved the Luambe Mondoloka-led RDA board saying it was a conduit of corruption and shortly thereafter investigative wings moved in to conduct a probe of corrupt procurements.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

(LUSAKATIMES) Chinese firm loses road contract

Chinese firm loses road contract
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, November 26, 2011, 10:05 am

IN the continued crackdown meant to bring sanity to the road sector, the Government has terminated the K117 billion-contract awarded to Jianjsu Wjin Corporation for the construction of roads in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi districts.

This comes barely five days after the Government cancelled the K80-billion contract awarded to politician, Ben Mwila’s company, Wade Adams Piling, for the construction of part of the Mumbwa-Landless Corner Road in Central Province.

Road Development Agency (RDA) head of public relations, Loyce Saili, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Jianjsu Wjin Corporation Limited was awarded the contract to construct urban roads in Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe but failed to meet the terms of the contract.

Ms Saili said RDA had now instituted measures to recover the money from the Chinese company so that the tender could be given to another firm.?? This brings the total amount of money that RDA is trying to recover from the two companies to more than K130 billion.

Ms Saili said Jianjsu Wjin Corporation Limited was paid K17.5 billion as advance payment for the road projects that were commissioned in May and were expected to be completed this month. Nothing tangible has taken place on the ground.??She said RDA had written to the bank that guaranteed the funds asking for a refund to ensure that the project did not suffer.

Ms Saili said Jianjsu Wjin was contracted to work on a 34-kilometre road network in the two towns but deserted the project and that the work was below satisfactory levels.??

She also said the contract provided that the Chinese firm should have made available a performance bond within 28 days after the contract was done but failed to do so.??

“This amounts to a fundamental breach of the contract. So as RDA, we had no choice but to terminate the contract. We are in the process of trying to procure another contractor to improve roads in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi,” Ms Saili said.

She said RDA had re-aligned its procedures following high levels of irresponsibility exhibited by some contractors. She said RDA was compiling performance records of all contractors and those that would show a poor record would be blacklisted.

Ms Saili said RDA did not want to deal with “makeshift” contractors because it wanted roads to add value to the economy.

“We will be firm in our monitoring and supervision of all the contracts. This will involve sending reminders at every stage where we think work is not being done accordingly,” Ms Saili said.

The company was running as a joint venture with a Zambian consultant.?The letter of termination was written on September 28, 2011 asking the firm to surrender the project back to RDA for deserting and failing to meet the terms in the contract.

Apart from Jianjsu Wjin Corporation, RDA terminated a road construction project valued at about K80 billion with a performance bond of K8 billion for a company owned Mr Mwila.

Mr Mwila is president of National Democratic Focus (NDF) and contested the Nchelenge parliamentary seat on the MMD ticket during the September 20 general elections.

[Times of Zambia]

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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Security wings probe K4.4tr over-procurement of road projects

Security wings probe K4.4tr over-procurement of road projects
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thu 20 Oct. 2011, 14:00 CAT

A JOINT team of officers from various state security wings have moved into the Road Development Agency to probe the MMD government's alleged over-procurement of road projects by over K4.4 trillion this year.

Impeccable RDA sources told The Post on Tuesday that a combined team of officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission, Zambia Police and the Anti-Corruption Commission moved into RDA head office over a week ago and so far some top managers at the road agency had been questioned.

"These people security officers have set up base here. They moved in
to follow those issues of the over-procurement and the other issue of
the US$27 million.

They moved in just after those stories came out in
the newspaper," one of the sources said. "They are calling individuals
and so far some top managers have been called for questioning."
The sources said the probe was being done quietly.

Highly-placed National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) sources, RDA's sister
agency in the road sector, also confirmed the ongoing probe but
expressed ignorance as to whether or not the investigations would
extend to NRFA.

Asked to confirm the over-procurement probe at the RDA, DEC
Commissioner Alita Mbahwe said Inspector General of Police Dr Martin
Malama was the appropriate authority to comment on the matter since it
was a joint security operation.

Dr Malama, when called, asked to be contacted later as he was
attending a meeting.

Efforts to get comment from RDA executive director Dr Michael Mulenga
proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.

RDA sources recently disclosed that the Rupiah Banda administration
over-procured road works through the agency by over K4 trillion in its
election campaign-motivated urban and township projects.

The Luambe Mondoloka-led RDA board, which was dissolved by President
Michael Sata for alleged corrupt practices, is reported to have also
influenced the award of a contract to tar the Pedicle Road to an
Italian contractor whose contract bid was K60 billion over and above
the lowest bidder, China Heinan.

The sources said there was a possibility that part of the money
obtained from the inflated road projects went towards bankrolling the
MMD's futile 2011 election campaign.

A status report of projects under the so-called Formula One township
roads rehabilitation works dated September 26, 2011 indicates that
contrary to the MMD's claims that the road works covering three
provinces cost K1.3 trillion, the projects totalled over K2 trillion.

Towards the just-ended elections, former president Rupiah Banda and
his ministers said the K1.3 trillion used in the upgrading of township
roads on the Copperbelt, Lusaka and Central provinces was obtained
from the mines.

The sources said this amount added to the cost of 'political' projects
undertaken by the previous government on the Copperbelt, Northern and
Western provinces caused the over K4.4 trillion overprocurement of
projects outside the RDA's approved budget.

The political projects that were over-procured outside the budget by
the RDA include the Mufulira-Chembe Pedicle Road, Nakonde-Mbala,
Isoka-Muyombe, Kasama-Mporokoso, Mbesuma Bridge and Mongu-Kalabo.

The sources said the true cost of these projects could only be
ascertained once a technical audit was carried out. The sources
further disclosed that a Chinese contractor awarded a contract to
carry out road rehabilitation works on a key road in Northern Province
had not commenced the works despite obtaining US$27 million advance
payment from the RDA.

In 2008, the RDA over-procured road projects by K1.3 trillion leading
to the suspension and dismissal of the agency's executive director
Erasmus Chilundika and other senior managers.

President Sata dissolved the RDA board two weeks ago, saying it was
another conduit of corruption where contracts were awarded without
tenders.


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Tuesday, October 04, 2011

(LUSAKATIMES) President Sata dissolves RDA

President Sata dissolves RDA
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 1:34 pm

President Michael Sata has with immediate effect dissolved the Road Development Agency-RDA. And the President has directed the new Police command to immediately stop the Zambia Revenue Authority -ZRA- from paying K4billion kwacha to a fake company managing the scanners at Nakonde border post in the Northern Province.

Meanwhile, President Sata has announced reforms in the police service with all Division Commands to be run by personnel with the rank of Commissioner of Police.

The President was speaking Tuesday morning when he swore in New Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Max Nkole and Deputy Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani.

Mr Nkole once served as Executive Chairman at the Task Force on Corruption before its abolishment.

And Ms Libongani was until her new appointment Central Province police commanding officer.

President Sata also disclosed that -ZRA- was on Tuesday expected to pay K4billion kwacha to a fake company which the President says belongs to someone who occupied his office.

Mr. Sata has directed the new Home Affairs Permanent Secretary and the new Police command to stop the payment and investigate how much has already been paid out to the bogus firm.


And president Sata has directed ZRA to find its own people to manage the scanners at Nakonde border.

In dissolving the RDA, the President said it is surprising that the road agency awarded some contracts without tenders and made payments with unknown source of funding.
[ZNBC]

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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Sata seeks review of road contracts

Sata seeks review of road contracts
By George Chellah
Sat 23 July 2011, 14:00 CAT

MICHAEL Sata has demanded an urgent review of road contracts and warned that President Rupiah Banda and Ben Mwila will account for the failed Mumbwa-Landless corner road project.

And Sata has written to President Banda stating that the deliberate failure to dissolve Parliament has led to illegal or unconstitutional expenditures by the Vice-President, ministers and deputy ministers. In an interview yesterday, Sata said PF would not tolerate the flouting of regulations and obvious corruption that was currently obtaining in road developments.

“For instance, the Mumbwa-Landless corner road project which was awarded to Wade Adams, a laboratory testing company belonging to BY Mwila who seems to have failed to perform,” Sata said.

“BY has failed whilst Chico, a company which was given the adjacent project has made significant progress on their section and are likely to finish the project ahead of schedule, that is if they haven’t even finished already. This is why PF is demanding that the Auditor General moves in at the Road Development Agency (RDA) and urgently reviews the award of these road contracts in order to save the Zambian taxpayer billions of Kwacha, which are being misapplied in the road sector.”

Sata said President Banda and "his friends" would have to account for the money they were wasting to give each other political favours.

“We know what Rupiah is doing with B.Y on the Mumbwa-Landless corner road. Yes, the people in that area need a road, but should you give it to a political friend who is not able to do the job?” Sata asked.

“This project is worth several billions of Kwacha which cannot be thrown just like that. I know that even people like Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha will have a problem in his constituency because of that road and the way BY is handling it.”

Sata urged President Banda against cheating people over the so-called road development projects.

“This development, they are trying to cheat people with nothing but outright abuse of public resources for which Rupiah Banda will be held accountable,” Sata said.

“Even BY Mwila must keep his books very carefully because they will be checked. Any corruption will be met by the law. We know the connections in all these contracts and people will have to give an account. Zambian money is for Zambians and it should not be wasted on Rupiah’s political gymnastics.”

Sata said a similar situation had happened on the upgrading of the Pedicle Road.

“They are also cheating the people of Luapula on the Pedicle Road. They have brought their friends from Italy to build that road at K60 billion more than other bids,” Sata said.

“The K300 billion which their Italian friends want for that road is way too much. This government has decided to award this contract despite recommendations from senior RDA officials who advised that the contract should not be awarded for fear of non-performance by this same Italian company.”

And Sata has written to President Banda over the dissolution of Parliament.

“Article 88(6) of the Constitution of Zambia states: ‘The National Assembly may be dissolved by the President at any time.’ Article 88(7) of the same Constitution states: ‘Whenever the National Assembly is dissolved under this Article, there shall be Presidential elections and elections to the National Assembly and the first session of the new Parliament shall commence within three months from the date of the dissolution,’” read the except from Sata’s letter to President Banda dated July 20, 2011.

He stated that the two sections of Article 88 were completely separate and there was no provision anywhere in the constitution, which stated that the dissolution of Parliament and the fixing of the dates for elections must be done on the same day.

Sata stated that the usual logical and economical practice in most democratic countries was to announce the dissolution of Parliament shortly after the House adjourns sine die.

“When this action has been taken, the Vice-President, ministers, deputy ministers and ordinary members of parliament stop carrying out their duties. In this way, the country saves millions of Kwacha from expenses on salaries, allowances, travel expenses from all the persons referred to herein,” Sata stated.

“The deliberate failure to dissolve Parliament has led to illegal or unconstitutional expenditures by the Vice-President, ministers and deputy ministers on travels to all parts of the country under the cover of ‘official duties’ when everybody has seen and read about them on political campaigns.”

Sata stated that some ordinary members of parliament had been summoned to conduct work connected to parliamentary duties.

“Some MPs have been heard taking part in workshops/seminars outside Zambia. All these are unconstitutional and undemocratic. Unfortunately, these are some of the actions which forment troubles for the country,” Sata stated.

“In the event of a change in government, those responsible for these actions must be ready for actions against them for these unconstitutional actions. The travels to parts of the country by the Vice-President, ministers and deputy ministers for purely party campaigns are clear cases of plunder of public funds which are punishable under Zambian laws.”

Sata stated that the term of office for the current government would expire on October 2, 2011 as per provision of article 88(2).

“Since Parliament was not dissolved by 1st July, 2011, whatever date on which the current Parliament will now be dissolved, the three months will not apply as per the same article 88(7). This, therefore, means that the period of campaigns will be shortened to comply with the three months. This is another case of acting undemocratic,” Sata stated.

“Article 88(6)(b) states ‘the National Assembly may, by a two-third majority of the numbers thereof, dissolve itself’ Under the current membership of the National Assembly, the entire opposition cannot successfully pass a motion to dissolve the National Assembly because they will not get the two-thirds majority. If by any chance they managed to get the two thirds, this move can only be embarked upon during the life of the current parliament. After 2nd October, 2011 there will be no legitimate parliament if elections are not held by that date.”

He warned that all those involved in plundering state funds under the cover of inspecting government work would have to refund the public resources that have been expended.

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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Marching backwards in very long strides

Marching backwards in very long strides
By The Post
Sun 14 Nov. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THERE is need for Rupiah Banda to pay attention to the corruption in the country’s road sector.

We say this because corruption remains rife in this very important sector, with bribery, intimidation and fraud in most cases hiding beneath a veneer of apparent compliance through specified procurement and financial management procedures.

Not so long ago, the Auditor General’s office exposed glaring irregularities surrounding the Road Development Agency (RDA). The report for 2006-2009 revealed that the RDA overcommitted the government by over K1 trillion through overprocurement of contracts in the 2008 annual work plan. We were also told that the agency did not retire imprest totalling K19.1 billion since 2004. The report also highlighted issues of unauthorised contract variations and overruns in some road projects in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces amounting to K93 billion among others. It is also common knowledge that donors were the first to raise concerns on these irregularities and withheld funding to the road sector pending the release of the audit report. After the report was released, we are aware that the donors made recommendations of what they expected the government to do to for them to resume funding to the sector. Some donors have now slowly started releasing funds on selected projects in the road sector.
But given the serious nature of the road sector, it is difficult to understand why Rupiah left the situation unattended to until the donors raised concern. Does it mean that no one was aware of the wrong things that were going on at RDA? Did it have to take donors to sound the alarm and demand an audit over the irregularities that had become the order of the day? Does it mean that there is no other body that could have been checking what this agency was doing? What happened to the so-called commitment towards the fight against corruption, continuing with Levy Mwanawasa’s legacy?

Many have questioned Rupiah and his government’s commitment to the fight against corruption. Rupiah and his minions have been very defensive over these issues, denying the existence of corruption. However, the developments at RDA are but some of the clear indications that there is little, if not nothing, happening with the fight against corruption. And we agree with Citizens Forum executive secretary Simon Kabanda that there is no way the RDA could overcommit the government to a tune of over K1 trillion without their knowledge. Rupiah and his minions cannot play ignorant on this matter.

Any country that is serious with development and improving the living standards of people cannot allow the mess that Rupiah tolerates in the road sector. In countries where such things are not tolerated, Mike Mulongoti wouldn’t be in government today.

Roads are the arteries of modern economic activity. They play a key role in our economy but most of them are in a bad state, and non-existent in some cases. The rainy season is here and the poor state of some of these roads will actually worsen. Very soon some areas in the country will be cut off as the water levels rise in the water bodies. These same roads that have been neglected are being used for transportation of farming inputs. The country’s mining sector also heavily relies on the roads to move minerals and equipment. Given the major role that road infrastructure plays in this country, it is surprising that Rupiah and his minions could allow the situation to get to a level where donors could withhold funding for road works.

We know that there is some funding that has been obtained from other sources – probably less demanded sources in terms of accountability. But that is not a solution because there are many roads that require the government’s attention and we could have still managed to benefit from the donors who have withheld funding to the road sector. Given the serious need for good infrastructure, roads in particular, it is saddening that we could find ourselves in a situation where donors have to withhold funds on account of lack of accountability.

It is not too long ago from the time donors withheld funding to the Ministry of Health following revelations of theft by ministry workers involving K10 billion. Yes, the donors have resumed funding after measures were taken to stop the theft, but it remains to be seen whether or not the measures taken are sustainable. And one would have thought that we could have drawn a few lessons from that episode to avoid further embarrassment involving blatant abuse of donor funding meant to benefit our people, especially the poor. But it is clear that we did not learn from that episode and it is difficult to understand whether Rupiah and his minions have any sense of care at all.

It is very clear that there is no political will in the fight against corruption. If there was, if Rupiah and his minions were trying to be seen to be doing something, we would not have had such embarrassing developments regarding abuse of donors funds. We would have at least seen a reduction in irregularities in the Auditor General’s report as opposed to the current scenario. If Rupiah and his minions were serious, they would not have been allowing questionable deals to be signed right under their noses, sometimes involving their kith and kin. It is amazing that Rupiah and his friends have so much energy and time to feather their nests and work towards securing their hold on power when there is so much serious work to be done. Our people wallow in abject poverty, the education system leaves much to be desired, the health sector is dogged with numerous challenges ranging from poor remuneration, shortage of drugs and staff, among other issues.

Any serious government would be working tirelessly to ensure that people are liberated from the shackles of underdevelopment. Any serious government would ensure that donor aid and local public resources are used prudently and for the benefit of the people. Any serious government would ensure that those trying to rob the people, the kleptomaniacs, are caged and pay back. Any serious government would put its people first. But that is not the case with Rupiah’s government. All we see is serious work towards self-preservation and enrichment; praises for kleptomaniacs; pomposity towards donors when they question the usage of their tax-payers’ monies.

But this arrogance will not take Rupiah anywhere. They should sort out the problems that have dogged the road sector and put things on track. We know that there are some roads that have been done and others, which are being worked on in Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western provinces. But this is just a fraction of the country’s road network and there are many other roads that need attention. Rupiah and his friends need to address the problems at the RDA. We are aware that changes have been made at management and board levels but this is not enough. There is need to address the corruption that exists even beyond RDA. One cannot just focus on the government agencies without looking at the ministry involved, in this case the Ministry of Works and Supply. The rot starts from there up to the lowest levels. And one cannot address the problems at the bottom without paying attention to the top. Empty talk about the so-called measures that have been put in place to fight corruption will not do.

This country needs serious resolve and commitment to fight abuse of resources and ensure that this terrible cancer which has permeated all echelons of our society is stopped. The thieving that is currently going on should be stopped forthwith or our people should forget about any meaningful development.

No one will develop Zambia for us. We have a duty and responsibility to develop this country. We will get all the aid we need but as long as we do not have integrity, a sense of honesty and justice, we will not achieve much; we will be marching backwards in very long strides.

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It’s difficult to believe RDA over-committed govt - Kabanda

It’s difficult to believe RDA over-committed govt - Kabanda
By Moses Kuwema
Sun 14 Nov. 2010, 04:00 CAT

SIMON Kabanda has observed that it is difficult to believe that the RDA over-committed the government without it knowing.

Commenting on the revelations in the Auditor General’s report in which the Road Development Agency over-committed the government to over K1 trillion in road contracts and the subsequent firing of some of its directors, Kabanda argued that the Minister of Works and Supply as the ‘overall boss’ must have known about the issue.

“The over-commitment was not done without the government knowing because the Minister of Works and Supply has authority over the RDA so he is supposed to know what is happening with the institution that he oversees. The minister oversees all the contracts that the RDA enters into,” Kabanda, who is also Citizens Forum executive secretary, said.

He also said the issue of over-commitment could also have been used to siphon money into people’s pockets and as such called for a thorough investigations and bringing to book everyone involved.

And Kabanda has said there is need for the Auditor General’s office to be given power to prosecute cases of misappropriation that are highlighted in their reports.

He said with the current situation, the Auditor General’s office risked becoming meaningless.

“If the Auditor General had the powers to prosecute, by now those people could have been prosecuted. The government must review the powers of the Auditor General so that they don’t just end at giving us the report but go further to prosecute,” Kabanda said.

Kabanda said the firing of directors at the RDA was not enough and called for further investigations into the matter.

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Monday, August 23, 2010

RDA’s failure to release funds for roads disappoints Kitwe Mayor

RDA’s failure to release funds for roads disappoints Kitwe Mayor
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Mon 23 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT

Chipungu said the state of main roads in the city were in a deplorable state
KITWE Mayor Stephen Chipungu has expressed disappointment with the Road development Agency (RDA) for its failure to release money for the rehabilitation of key roads in the city.

During a press briefing in Kitwe on Friday, Chipungu said the state of main roads in the city were in a deplorable state and government through the RDA was not doing enough to address the problem.

He said the state of key roads such as Chibuluma and Mindolo roads which recently had been a subject of demonstrations from the members of the public particularly min bus drivers should be treated as a matter of urgency.

Chipungu further said while the council appreciates the genuine concerns of the residents over the state of the roads, they should not take the law in their own hands and taking actions without due regard to the laid down procedure.

“We wish to advise the public on the undesirability of taking the law in their own hands and taking actions without due regard to the laid down procedures,” he said.

“we wish to appeal to our residents to remain calm as we pursue the matter with the Ministry of Works and Supply through our parent ministry, the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.”

He said he had written letters to the relevant authorities so that they could expedite the process of releasing funds for the rehabilitation of the key roads in the city.

Chipungu said the appeal to relevant authorities to rehabilitate the roads was on grounds that the state of the roads came as a result of the central location of the city, as well as it being an entry point to all the other towns on the Copperbelt and beyond including the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDA).

He said the Ministry of Works and Supply must treat Kitwe as a special case and on priority basis.

“We are confident that if the three roads namely; Central street, Chibuluma and Mindolo roads, which are popularly known as the hell run roads were done, the face of the city and the public perception of our city will drastically change,” Chipungu.

He said it was distressing to note that nothing had been done on the roads despite the RDA advertising them for rehabilitation on two occasions.


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