The Zambia Army has arrived in Sinazongwe district to commence the works on the washed away bridge and culverts along Maamba/ Batoka road which resulted in the cutting off the entire district from the rest of the country.
Sinazongwe district District Administrative Officer (DAO) Sokoloku Daka confirmed the arrival of the Soldiers that came yesterday and have already mounted their camps in readiness for the work to start.
Mr Daka said works on the Sikalamba Bridge at Sinazeze Township is expected to start today.
He said the Road Development Agency (RDA) together with the help of the army is also expected to work on the collapsed culvert at Mweezhya near Maamba Township.
On 5 March heavy rain completely swept away a temporal bridge along Maamba/Batoka road leaving a deep gully and cut off the district from the rest of the country.
And Mweemba Area Development Association (MADA) Edson Sikalongo said it was unfortunate that the RDA gave a routine maintenance to Ruabex Construction Company without including the cost of rebuilding bridges and culverts on a road that is 41 years old.
Mr Sikalongo noted that government has a clear vision on maintaining the roads but the RDA which is the implementer has failed to do any credible work on Maamba/Batoka road.
“It is unfortunate and most unexpected to give a road that is 41 years old a routine maintenance whose cost does not include bridges and culvert,” Mr Sikalongo noted.
He said the blame by RDA that culverts were damaged as a result of vandalism amount to only 50 percent while the 50 percent was as a result of the agent’s failure to inspect the road.
Sinazongwe district has been cut off for the past one week and most essential commodities especially food stuffs have been increased.
This same road was washed out even last rainy season. Now we have soldiers going to patch it up as we wait for it to be washed out AGAIN next year. Meanwhile, there are govt institutions in the name of RDA, RATSA bla bla that are responsible for road infrastructure and safety….no one cares to question them….but then, who can, while the Ministers are busy Kayopering (Sleeping) in meeting…..Zambia is a joke!
But what is being done in the longer term by GRZ??? So many questions than answers!!
If anything, Zambia National Service (ZNS) could have done a better job than these guys.
#2 …..In the meantime, RDA are waiting for their hefty salaries at the end of the month!