Mongu-Kalabo Road Works at 66 Percent

CONSTRUCTION works on the Mongu-Kalabo road are 66 per cent complete and created 1,000 jobs of which 700 are youths from the local community.
Avic International site manager Chen Yizu noted that timely completion of the road is important because of the socio-and economic benefits that it will bring.
Mr Chen assured the nation of delivering an international standard road by April 2016 which is the estimated completion date.
He said this will be done despite delays such as longer water receding time after the floods and shortage of cement or concrete mix from Lafarge because of the maintenance works that are going on at the cement company.
“We know this project is very important. It has a high standard design and we using high quality materials. We will complete the project in time,” Mr Chen said
And Road Development Agency (RDA) Western Province regional manager Gershom Mwangomba said all the environmental impact issues arising from the construction of the road will be addressed.
Mr Mwangomba said there have been concerns from the public that the contractor is leaving boroughs during the construction of the road and said these will be buried as soon as there is no need for them.
He said RDA wants to ensure that a good road is delivered that will ease transportation from Mongu to Kalabo.
Mr Mwangomba noted that once completed, the road will not only link Mongu and Kalabo but further into Angola through Sikoongo, thereby, boosting trade in the area.
Meanwhile, RDA senior public relations manager Loyce Saili is happy with the works done on the road so far.
Ms Saili said 25 bridges being built across the plain have reached various levels of completion, adding that the main bridge across the Zambezi is also under construction.
She said the 26th bridge has been added to the scope of works and is currently awaiting approval as it was not in the initial design of the road.
Ms Saili said the bridge will be built near Tapo to avoid flooding in the area as it will allow a natural flow of the water.
Government is constructing the 35 km Mongu – Kalabo road at a cost of US$286.9 million.