Commissioned
Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Hon. Eng. Charles Lubasi Milupi has commissioned the Lwitikila ACROW Bridge in Kanchibiya District in Muchinga Province with a firm commitment on Government’s resolve to improve the general condition of public roads.
Eng. Hon. Milupi said road and bridge infrastructure development was critical to propelling the improvement of living standards for Zambians in that it connected communities to markets, industries, and other social amenities.
“I am therefore happy to note that your Government has continued to score on this front as we have been busy commissioning completed projects and at the same time launching new ones. This is indeed walking the talk and delivering to the people of Zambia as we promised in our campaigns prior to taking up office in 2021,” Hon. Eng. Milupi said.
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development through the Road Development Agency (RDA) is undertaking a programme under which it will construct and install 131 ACROW Bridges in seven Provinces.
The Lwitikila ACROW Bridge is one of the 131 bridges and has been constructed at a cost of K7.8 million.
Eng. Mulchand Kuntawala said there was no permanent crossing point across the Lwitikila River to link Kaonda and Lumbatwa areas to Kanchibiya District.
“People in this area had difficulties transporting farm produce, accessing health facilities, schools and undertaking other economic activities and when the water levels were high.
“The people depended on the banana boat which was stationed on the banks of the river and when the water levels were high, a temporary log bridge would be constructed across the river,” he said.
He said the RDA through the Muchinga Province office on 10th July 2023 embarked on the construction of the Lwitikila ACROW Bridge with associated features under the Force Account at the cost K7.8 million.
He said the commissioning of the Lwitikila ACROW Bridge brought the total number of ACROW Bridges so far commissioned to 14.
“This year, within the financial resources available, we have a budget provision to complete another 10 ACROW Bridges, and we are on target to complete these,” Eng. Kuntawala said.
