The upgrade of the Shantumbu Road, a vital connection between Lusaka and Kafue Districts through Chalala Township, is taking shape as momentum builds for the project.
The Road Development Agency (RDA) is rehabilitating and upgrading 58.5 kilometers of road network in Lusaka, including a significant 22 kilometers of the Shantumbu Road.
This rehabilitation project is a cornerstone of the Government's broader infrastructure development strategy, aimed at enhancing urban mobility, improving road safety, and bolstering socio-economic growth in Lusaka and its surrounding areas.
Eng. Pandeki Chabala, the Acting Director of Construction and Rehabilitation at RDA, inspected the ongoing works, which are being carried out by Kailjee Construction Zambia Limited under the supervision of Oaktic Systems Limited.
During his visit, Eng. Chabala received updates on the project's current status, which includes roadbed preparation, pavement construction, culvert installation, drainage works, and priming activities along various sections of the road corridor.
As of 30th May 2026, the project has achieved an overall physical progress of 15.5 percent, with advancements noted on key sections of the Shantumbu Road, State Lodge Roads, and the Lilayi Bypass Road.
Eng. Chabala expressed satisfaction with the visible progress at the site but stressed the necessity for accelerated implementation to align with the planned schedule. He underscored the project's importance in improving connectivity, reducing travel time, and facilitating economic activities for Lusaka and Kafue District communities.
He urged the contractor and supervising consultant to uphold high construction standards and enhance coordination to overcome existing challenges, including material sourcing constraints and traffic management issues.
Oaktic Systems Limited Supervising Engineer Marijani Lungu expressed confidence that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the contractor is on track to complete the Shantumbu Road by September or October of this year.
Regarding quality assurance, he assured the public that stringent quality control measures are being enforced throughout the construction process. Engineers are continuously monitoring the contractor’s output, while laboratory tests are conducted on all materials before and after delivery to the site. The completed works are subjected to comprehensive inspections and measurements to ensure compliance with design specifications.
Eng. Lungu also noted that the road has been designed to last 20 years, provided that routine maintenance activities, such as resurfacing, resealing, and desilting drainage structures, are performed regularly.
Community members have expressed their gratitude to the government for initiating this long-awaited project. Residents noted that the road has been a source of hardship for many years, with excessive dust impacting schools, health facilities, businesses, and households.
Mrs. Martha Jere, a local resident, described the road project as a dream come true after years of advocacy by the community. She expressed that the construction works have rekindled hope for residents who have endured poor road conditions for over a decade.
Community leader Mr. Kennedy Simbotwe welcomed the project as well, emphasizing the negative effects of dust pollution on the health and well-being of residents, particularly school-age children. He commended the addition of community infrastructure, such as replacement boreholes, which will improve access to clean water.
Mr. Simbotwe praised the RDA and the project team for their commitment to action and welcomed the Agency’s continued oversight of the works to ensure timely completion.