Govt has prioritised Kalabo-Sikongo Road works – Mutati

Minister of Works and Supply Felix Mutati says government will prioritize the disbursement of funds for the Kalabo-Sikongo road whose works stalled due to delayed funding.

Speaking in Mongu district of Western Province when he toured the 84 kilometer Kalabo-Sikongo road worth k960 million, Mutati said the resumption of Works which have stalled for close to seven months is vital in economic growth.

The Minister has since assured the contractor Stefanutti Stocks and Consolidated Contractors Company JV  whose working on the road that he would liase with the Central Government to expedite the process of releasing funds for the road project.

Mutati said that he would give the contractor feedback on fund disbursement by the end of May adding that the road was necessary in growing the economy and creating employment for the locals.

Mutati has also stressed that the completion of the kalabo – sikongo road will help government to realize its aim of enhancing it’s bilateral relations and economic activities with Angola as it is a key linkage between the two countries.

He added that Angola and Zambia has entered into a number of agreements and  the friendship between the  two countries has flourished over the years and  as seen by the visit of the Angolan President last week  for bilateral meetings with President Edgar Lungu.

Mutati said Kalabo District can be turned into a trading hurb once all the sectors are exploited because the area has potential to attract investments.

Meanwhile the Minister said officers from Engineering Services Corporation (ESCO) will be sent to the Province next week to assess the situation with the pontoon that was disfunctional.

And project manager Christopher Vuuren said the company commenced the construction works on 3rd April adding that 18 percent of the road works had been done so far after Government paid K100 million.

Vuuren disclosed that the works stopped in October last year as Government had not released funds.

He said government however owes the company k184 million out of the works done so far.