The Road Development Agency (RDA) has procured 67 pieces of road maintenance and sealing equipment at a cost of K138.3 million under Phase One of its programme to strengthen road maintenance across the country.
The equipment, commissioned by Infrastructure and Urban Development Minister Collins Nzovu in Lusaka, includes tipper trucks, road line marking machines, vibrating rollers, mobile combine chip spreaders and bitumen distributors.
The equipment will be deployed in two sets, with the first stationed along the Great East Road between Chongwe and Rufunsa, while the second will operate along the Great North Road between Serenje and Mpika.
Mr Nzovu says distribution to the two locations is expected within a week, with maintenance works scheduled to commence immediately.
He says the investment is intended to strengthen the RDA’s in-house maintenance capacity, adding that Phase Two will involve the procurement of earthmoving machines.
The Minister has urged officers entrusted with the equipment to ensure proper management, regular servicing and efficient utilisation, stressing that maintaining existing roads is equally important as constructing new ones.
Meanwhile, RDA Board Chairperson, Eugene Haazele says the RDA has prioritised preventive, routine and periodic road maintenance to preserve existing infrastructure, noting that timely maintenance is more cost-effective than major rehabilitation or reconstruction.
He adds that financial constraints have affected the timely implementation of maintenance programmes, leading to the deterioration of some roads.
By Mike Mwendachabe
