Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo has directed the contractor working on the Ndola–Sakania Road to redo a four-kilometre stretch that has developed potholes instead of patching the damaged sections.
Mr. Matambo says he is disappointed that the road, which has been opened to the public for less than a year, is already developing damages.
The minister issued the directive when he inspected the road together with officials from the Road Development Agency.
He said the government expects infrastructure projects to meet high standards, noting that the Public Private Partnership project is meant to benefit the Zambian people and should remain in good condition throughout the 25-year concession period.
Mr. Matambo explained that allowing several patches on a newly constructed road would compromise quality, adding that the contractor must redo the affected section to ensure the road can stand the test of time.
The minister and the Road Development Agency have also disputed claims that oil spillages from trucks parked along the roadside are responsible for damaging the road surface.
Mr. Matambo stated that poor quality works should not be attributed to external factors, stressing that road projects must meet the expected standards whether undertaken by government or private partners.
And RDA Roads Engineer Bernard Zulu, said the agency is working with the contractor to address the defects that have appeared on the road.
Mr. Zulu explained that engineers have cut out damaged sections and reworked them to meet engineering standards.
Meanwhile, Turbo Kachin Consortium Limited Project Manager He Dayu, the for Jaswin Ports Limited, says the repair works being carried out are within the required standards.
Mr. Dayu said the damaged sections have been removed and reconstructed according to specifications and that monitoring will continue to ensure the road meets the agreed quality standards.
By Lovemore Sondashi
