ZULAWU hails Sata’s RDA take over

September 22, 2012 | Filed under: Local News | Posted by: web editor

HANG-ON SIR:Minister of Foreign Affairs Given Lubinda seems to say while streightening up President Sata’s collar. This was just before the President launched the Link-Zambia 8000 road network project in Chiawa. - Picture by ANGELA MWENDA.

From ALEX NJOVU in Kitwe
THE Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) has welcomed President Sata’s decision to take over operations of the Road Development Agency (RDA) because this will promote transparency in the awarding of contracts for roads construction.
President Sata on Thursday announced that he had taken over operations of RDA during the launch of the K27 trillion roads project dubbed ‘Link Zambia 8000.’
Mr Sata said during the launch of the first phase of the Lusaka-Chirundu road project that he will personally supervise the road construction works.
ZULAWU general secretary Noah Kalangu said in an interview from Ndola yesterday that the move will help to curb corruption at RDA.
“We welcome the move by the President, this will ensure efficiency and transparency in the awarding of roads construction contracts. Our road network has been poor mainly due to corruption and awarding of contracts to incompetent individuals who were masquerading as road contractors,” Mr Kalangu said.
He said RDA is one of the institutions which have allegedly failed Zambians for many years because of its lack of commitment to improving road infrastructure in the country.
He said a good road network is important for national development.
“We cannot develop as a country if our road network is pathetic, we need proper roads in various parts of the country. Even our colleagues in rural areas need proper roads. This is why the Road Development
Agency plays an important role in the development of the country but if the agency which is so important is not performing to people’s expectations, then it becomes a sad story,” Mr Kalangu said.
He called on various stakeholders to support President Sata’s decision to take over the operations of RDA.
Mr Kalangu said the Link Zambia 8000 road project will help to improve road infrastructure in the country.
“One of the major challenges we have faced as Zambians for a long time is a poor road network. We are hoping that the situation willchange for the better now that RDA will be directly supervised by State House, by the President himself,” Mr Kalangu said.
He said most rural areas are set to benefit from the Link Zambia 8000 project.