21 May 2011
THE Government’s resolve to rehabilitate and construct roads in most parts of the country is a commitment towards ensuring that the physical landscape matches with the fast-increasing economic activities.
The construction and upgrading of roads is an on-going nationalexercise, which has been extended to all parts of the country.In doing so, the Government is mindful of the specified budgetaryallocation and would only proceed with projects whose financing hasalready been planned.
Thus Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata has once again exposed hismisplaced populist stance over the on-going road infrastructure development.
Mr Sata should have firstly digested the 2011 national budget particularly on the allocation of funds towards road upgrade andconstruction.
Secondly, he should have sought details on other sources of funds togo towards this national cause.Reading through Mr Sata’s line of thinking, it is clear that he didnot attempt to get all details pertaining to infrastructure development and financing.
For an opposition leader of his standing, he should have by now known that out of 67,000 km of public roads the country has, 40,000 km ofthe network has been designated as core road stretch.
The network has been prioritised under phase two to be completed by2013 for the Government to run the economy of this country effectively.
He should also have known by now that apart from the K3 trillion budgetary allocation for the roads in this year’s budget, theGovernment is at liberty to source more funds and carry out the noble task through designated methods such as the Public Private Partnership(PPP).
Infrastructure development, therefore, will continue this year as the Government has no reason to stop the on-going development projects.Even in advanced democracies, development projects continue to beundertaken through an election period.
It would be folly for any Government to abandon its responsibilities just because an election is to be conducted in a particular period.The MMD Government has not abrogated any law by continuing with the countrywide infrastructure development.
It is important therefore for stakeholders, Mr Sata inclusive, to research on matters of national importance instead pouting over issuesthey do not understand.
It is sad that Mr Sata has abandoned his task of offering checks and balances and has instead resorted to smear campaign in the hope ofrekindling his diminishing political fortune.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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THE Government’s Resolve to Rehabilitate and Construct Roads