Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela has directed that the Kampompi Bridge which connects Nkana East and Chipata compound in Kitwe be temporarily closed.
Hon. Chitotela says government will put up a new Bridge under the Urban roads’ rehabilitation project which AVIC is undertaking.
He says in the meantime the people of Nkana east and Chipata compound will be provided with an alternative route that goes through the Copperbelt University.
Hon. Chitotela has also directed the Road Development Agency to grade the road and make it passable for vehicles.
He was speaking in Kitwe after inspecting the collapsed bridge in the company of officials from the Road Development Agency and Kitwe mayor Christopher Kang’ombe.
And RDA Regional Manager, Maimbo Himululi said works to upgrade the alternative route will start on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kan’gombe said he is saddened by the collapsed bridge which has affected many residents in the two townships.
The collapsed Kampompi Bridge was constructed by Mopani Copper Mines through its Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
Dear Hon Chitotela,
This is a small project, which you can give a zambian contractor. Why give a chinese contractor even simple projects that we can empower our prople with. This is why people are accusing you of being owned and bribed by the chinese
Imagine they gave the construction of LWSC water valve box to a chinese company, and they are not even reinforced concrete as was advertised as was requirement in the tender.
True, that’s a small and simple bridge construction project, please give chance to Zambian small businesses.
A very small bridge, not much CSR was spent there! That’s the abuse by mine investor. Free labour that can be made redundant at will.