MINISTER of Works and Supply Honourable FELIX MUTATI is happy to note that the Zambezi Drifter Pontoon at Kazungula crossing point which had broken down has resumed operations.
MR MUTATI commended the ESCO staff for adhering to his one week ultimatum he issued last week.
The Minister said he is delighted with the quick response and commitment that ESCO management has demonstrated adding that the travelling public and business entities will be able to conduct business normally.
He also said the Zambia Revenue Authority will be able to collect the revenue they have been losing amounting to K35 million per day.
This came to light when ESCO Chief Executive Officer Engineer PATRICK LUTANGU NYIRENDA announced that the newly bought gears have been fitted and the pontoon resumed work at about 09:00 hours today.
Last week MR MUTATI directd ESCO management on Friday, April 27th 2018, to repair the broken down Zambezi Drifter pontoon without fail.
MR NYIRENDA yesterday announced that the spare parts that were being expected from South Africa had arrived.
He had assured the public that the repair works on the pontoon would be complete on Saturday 5th May 2018 and anticipated resumption of normal operations on Sunday, May 6th 2018.
“However, am glad to announce now that we managed to fix the gears and normal operations started this morning at about 09:00 hours. The general public can now be free to conduct their business on time,” he said.
He has since apologised to the public for the inconvenience caused by the non-operation of one of the pontoons.
And MR MUTATI said once the second pontoon was fixed, the revenue collected would be able to facilitate the upgrade of the district and bring it to acceptable standards.
K35million per day? Something not clear here and l think this figure is wrong because if it’s correct, how come kazungula as a town is so poor, dilapidated with no proper heathy services, no proper schools etc?
Maybe 35,000 per day?
And what is ESCO?
Yes – my thoughts exactly, @Nkope Shinyenga. In fact there is even that dubious town collection they make that they even ask “Are you paying one way or return…” Imagine paying to enter and leave a town. Zed is just something else.
You lose so much money a day yet you have had one machine all these years!!
35million kwacha is a lot of money such that can bring about massive development in kazungula.but then what benefits has the district got from this revenue collected.i say so because 50% of that money should remain in kazungula for positive and productive developmental programs such us health,education,agriculture and also construction of modern buildings for the betterment of our country Zambia.
With completion of THE KAZUNGULA BRIDGE there is need to invest in this small town…motels, restaurants etc.
ba chililalila ESCO is zambian parastal, esco mean Engineering Services COoperation
research
… Corporation Ltd
Something is not right with FELIX MUTATI, PF MUST FIRE THIS MAN , REMEMBER HE IS A PRESIDENT OF A POLITICAL PARTY AND HE IS SHINNING IN EVERY MINISTRY ABOVE PF MINISTERS, THIS CAMPAIGN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT FOR 2021, WHY GIVE HIM A PLATFORM TO CAMPAIGN IN OUR OWN GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE ALOT MUTATIS IN PF WHO CAN DO HIS JOB , FIRE HIM AND LET HIM ORGANISE HIS MMD WITHOUT A PF PLATFORM
This is one thing I have failed to understand about many of these Govt run entities. This pontoon has been operating for years. I, therefore, suspect the engineers/managers in charge of its operations have a pretty good idea of its MOST VENERABLE PARTS. In other words, they understand what parts of the pontoon break down, or likely to break down, frequently. They therefore should be proactive in ordering in advance or keeping those critical spare parts in stock.
I am sure they do carry out routine inspections of the pontoon and can tell which parts are worn out and need replacing. So I don’t understand why they should wait until things breakdown and then order parts and wait for weeks for spare parts to arrive. Especially when dealing with important ECONOMIC and COMMERCIAL assets…
Continue…
like this….in the meantime, people and Country are losing money.
And the sad part is that you see this sort of scenario repeat itself across so many other Govt run or managed entities. The question is WHY? Why can’t we learn our lessons!? This may seem small, but it reflects the Country’s Work Culture and Attitudes….how serious we are for PRIME TIME in business!
Ooh ok Zed people you always live me in suspense. Honestly how even start blaming people Mr. Mutations honestly is just doing his job and make sure that the Zambian people are able to tell that at least someone is working. Instead of appreciating his work but you are accusing him of campaign for MMD moreover Nevers is now the part president. So let be positive we want to build our lovely Mother Zambia. Mr Mutati I salute you and keep up with the same spirit and God will see through.
Department of HaNegatives from the tribal grouping masquerading as a party and its government!