Heavy rains in Malambanyama area in Chibombo district in central province have left a trail of destruction, the worst being the newly rehabilitated 80 kilometre Chitanda turn off- Chiyuni road.
The heavy rains that have caused floods has resulted into gulleys across the road in several sections, leaving the road, which was recently rehabilitated at the cost of K3 billion almost impassable.
Keembe Member of Parliament Rev. Ronnie Shikapwasha, who is also Home Affairs Minister, yesterday visited the area to see for himself the damage cause by the rain in this area.
The intensive damage caused by the rains to this road is now a source of concern to the users who say if the rain will not stop in the next two days, Chiyuni and Ipongo in Chieftainess Chitanda’s area will be completely cut off.
Another road that has been turned into a river by the heavy rains is the one leading to Kafushi High School making it difficult for pupils to move to and from both the Kafushi High and Malambanyama Basic Schools.
Malambanyama Head Teacher Juster Hatontola told ZANIS that the attendance at the school has been affected by the rains saying only grades five to nine were attending school while those in grades one to four have been advised not to report for school.
Mr. Hatontola said if the rain continues raining heavily the school grounds and buildings will also be affected.
And both Headman Musopelo A and Chiimbwe confirmed that some houses in the area have since collapsed as a result of the heavy down pour.
Headman Musopelo revealed that in his area about 100 houses have collapsed leaving the people in the cold and that about 85 fields have been submerged.
The Traditional leader noted that very few of his people will have food to feed their families this year.
And A civic leader in the area revealed that 58 houses have collapsed saying there was need for the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to quickly provide tents for the affected people.
A check at the Malambanyama market revealed that some shops have been abandoned by the owners as water was running through while some businessmen have tried in vein to block the heavy running water.
Toilets at this business centre have all collapsed posing a health hazard to the community.
A clinical officer talked to at Malambanyama Clinic said the health centre has since intensified the distribution of chlorine to the community.
Rev. Shikapwasha expressed sadness that infrastructure in this area especially the road that gobbled billions of kwacha has been extensively damaged.
He said the only solution now was to go back to central government and ask for help again to repair the road.
When was the road rehabilitated? Did the contractor not take into account damage from rain, sun etc? Did the construction pass quality checks during and after construction? The response here is to investigate and find answers to these questions and not run to Central Government for more money.
I find it difficult to accept that the road should be extensively damaged. K3billion is a huge investment. Can someone answer these questions for me?
Contractors build and are paid for roads we can afford. Just as for the houses in Zed. In Europe it costs about US$1 million to build a two lane tarmac low traffic road. Could cost about the same or more in Zambia. About half this much for a good gravel road. So the amount of money spent on this about 70km road was not enough for it to with stand a storm of the century let alone heavy rain.Govt should explain this fact rather than dent the reputation of local contractors
I was born in Ipongo, Village Mulilo, Chief Chitanda in 1967. A UBZ bus used to reach at Ipongo Primary School. A truck owned by the Muwamba family used to suppliment the UBZ bus services. This went on up to as far as 1974 when the UBZ bus last showed up. The road was good and the heavy rains EXISTED too. Kaunda had a deliberate policy of EACH DISTRICT, ONE GRADER, and the District Governor made sure the feeder roads were done. Now the DC makes sure he has a 4by4 Colt which costs more than a very good second hand Grader on “tradecarview.com”
To get to the point, bame it on ourselves because we are:
1. Politically dormant
2. The Government will do it.
JUMP ON THE VEHICLE AND MOVE.