Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Hon. Eng. Charles L. Milupi has commissioned a series of six ACROW Bridges across the Kashiji River along the Zambezi-Chinyama-Litapi road in Zambezi District in North-Western Province.
The Government through the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Zambia Army have completed the construction of the six ACROW Bridges across the Kashiji River at a cost of K23,964,153.08.
Hon. Eng. Milupi said the construction of the bridges across the Kashiji River in Zambezi West Constituency marked the first time ever that such infrastructure has been developed in the area in the history of the country.
” The construction of these bridges is just one of the first steps by the caring Government of his excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema in ensuring that connectivity is enhanced in Zambezi District. This is being done in a methodical and systematic manner by ensuring that bridge infrastructure is constructed first. The next step will be to improve the road connecting these bridges,” he said.
RDA Board of Directors Chairperson Eng. Muchand Kuntawala said the completion of works involving the construction of a series comprising six ACROW Bridges across the Kashiji River along the Zambezi-Chinyama-Litapi Road was a remarkable achievement for the Agency.
Eng. Kuntawala said the six bridges were part of the thirty-three ACROW Bridges earmarked to be constructed in North-Western Province.
Eng. Kuntawala said the RDA in the second quarter of 2023 embarked on the project to construct the six ACROW Bridges through the Zambia Army as the contractor.
“The RDA with support from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has intensified the implementation of the ACROW Bridge programme,” he said.
He said the construction and installation of ACROW Bridges gained momentum in 2023 with two bridges being completed in the Lunte and Luwingu Districts of Northern Province.
He said the RDA through the Zambia National Service (ZNS) as the contractor recently completed construction and installation works of the Kasombo ACROW Bridge in Kabompo District while substantial progress had been attained at Malolwa ACROW Bridge also located in Kabompo District.
“The Agency is currently constructing the Lwitikila ACROW Bridge under Force Account in Kanchibiya District in Muchinga Province, while in Central Province, works on the Luombwa ACROW Bridge have been substantially completed,” he said.
Eng. Kuntawala said in 2024, the Agency had budgeted for fifteen more ACROW Bridges to be constructed across various water bodies in the country.
Meanwhile, North-Western Province Minister, Hon. Robert Lihefu has urged the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development to consider constructing a bridge across the Zambezi River in Zambezi District.
Zambezi West Member of Parliament, Hon. Vumango Musumali said the construction of the six ACROW Bridges in his constituency was one of the greatest infrastructural projects that would bring about social and economic development in the area.
Zambia Army, Brigade Commander Engineering Unit, Brig. Gen. Buumba Zyeele said the Army through its secondary role would continue to support the development of the country through the construction of infrastructure.
