Katele hails Luapula pedicle road works

Saturday, May 14, 2011  
By ALEX NJOVU
 
CHIENGE member of Parliament Katele Kalumba says the people of Luapula Province appreciate Government’s commitment to tarring the pedicle road that traverses the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Dr Kalumba said people are happy that Government is committed to improving the road network in Luapula Province.
In an interview yesterday, Dr Kalumba, however, called on Government to consider working on the Mansa-Lunchinda and Mansa-Luwingu roads.
“I would like to thank Government for releasing about K800 million for the rehabilitation of roads in Luapula Province. The money will indeed go a long way in changing the face of the road network in the province. I would also like to urge Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of Mansa-Lunchinda and Mansa-Luwingu roads,” he said.
Dr Kalumba, who is former MMD national secretary, said the two roads are vital to the development of Luapula and Northern provinces.
He said Mansa-Luchinda and Mansa-Luwingu roads play a vital to the development of agriculture and mining activities in the two provinces.
“These are very important roads to the people of Luapula and Northern provinces. They have not been worked on for many years, and the people in the area will be very happy if the two roads are given the maximum attention they deserve,” Dr Kalumba said.
“The people in the two provinces are proud of the MMD government for giving them the Mwanawasa Bridge and many other development projects that are making life easier for them,” he said.
Dr Kalumba hopes that the ministries of Works and Supply and Finance and National Planning will prioritise the rehabilitation of the two roads this year.
He also said the rehabilitation of feeder roads will add beauty to Luapula Province.
Dr Kalumba commended Government for its commitment to developing the road infrastructure in all parts of the country.
“I am very hopeful that the government will work on the Mansa-Luchinda and Mansa-Luwingu roads this year.
I know they will do it because these are very important roads to the people of Luapula and Northern provinces. I would like to commend them for what they are doing in the area of infrastructure development in the country,” he said.