Zambia: Sata to Unveil K27 Trillion Road Project

PRESIDENT Michael Sata is today expected to unveil a K27 trillion road project dubbed “Link Zambia-8000′ intended to connect outlying areas of Zambia to all the 10 provinces and boost interlink trade.

The development affirms the Patriotic Front’s manifestation of a transformation of the country’s transport network.

Recently, the Government revoked the Railway Systems of Zambia concession agreement to run the railway line and revealed plans to inject US$120 million to resuscitate the railway transport sector.

Another related road programme was the signing of the K1.7 trillion road facelift for Lusaka, which would cover 400 km of road network, between the Road Development Agency (RDA) and China’s AVIC International.

The RDA has also announced the planned transformation of the Lusaka to Kapiri Mposhi Road into a dual carriageway and has completed the detailed design of the dual carriageway between Kitwe and Chingola.

In view of the plans, RDA warned that all structures that had been erected on road reserves along the stretches earmarked for the construction of the dual carriageway would be demolished without compensation.

The “Link Zambia-8000′ project would be carried out over a five-year period and would result in construction of 2,290 km of road network at an estimated cost of K7.9 trillion in the first phase of the project.

The second phase would cover 3,049 km of road network to cost K11.25 trillion while in the third phase, 2,862 km would be upgraded at a cost of K9 trillion.

The project would connect outlying areas to major trunk, main and district roads in the provinces and transform the country into a land-linked country.

Mr Sata would also commission the starting of the construction of the Lusaka-Leopards Hill Road project via Chiawa to Chirundu District.

The President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah announced this in a statement in Lusaka yesterday.

The Leopards Hill Road project would go over Chongwe River and connect Feira right through to Luangwa Bridge.

On the other side, the road would provide a link to Kasisi, Chipembi, Chalimbana and Palabana, among other areas.

“This important road link underlines the PF Government’s desire and determination to develop the state of infrastructure in the country, particularly roads as enshrined in the ruling party’s manifesto,” President Sata said.

He said the project signalled the beginning of the revolution of modernising Zambia and subsequently converting it into a complete land-linked country.

This also fulfils one of the promises made by President Sata to the nation during his address to Parliament last year that Government would embark on the construction of various roads which included the Lusaka-Leopards Hill Road project via Chiawa to Chirundu.

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Zambia: Sata to Unveil K27 Trillion Road Project