Minister calls for sensitization of all road users

Minister calls for sensitization of all road users

Mpulungu, February 19, ZANIS —— Works and Supply Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda has called for adequate sensitization of motorists and other road users on road safety if the current high rate of accidents the country was experiencing is to be curtailed.

Col Kaunda was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Mpulungu District Commissioner Juliana Chuzu during a familiarization tour of the district on Saturday.

He said the country was experiencing a lot of accidents because motorist were abrogating traffic rules and were not adhering to the principles of the High Way Code.

‘’We have just been told that there was another accident in Eastern province which has claimed four lives…..so we have been visiting all the provinces telling people the importance of observing traffic rules,’’ he said.

Col Kaunda said his ministry through the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) will not condone drunken driving, and will impound vehicles that were not road worthy.

He said there was need to make Zambian roads safer for both the passengers and motorists, saying the current rate of accidents on the roads were worrying.

And District Commissioner Juliana Chuzu said there was need for RTSA to decentralize their services to the district level.

Ms Chunzu said many people in the district had bought vehicles but were finding it costly to register their vehicle or obtain licenses because of the distance to Kasama.

“The current mobile registrations and visits done by RTSA are not adequate because there are only done quarterly,’’ said Chuzu.

Ms Chuzu also called for the translation of the High Way Code ino the seven local languages to avail Zambians who could not understand English an opportunity to understand traffic rules.

Speaking after touring Mpulungu Harbour, Col Kaunda disclosed that government plans to modernize and expand the port.

He said because of its strategic location, Mpulungu port when modernized and expanded will help to enhance trade with countries in the Great Lakes Region.

“We expect to see inflows of goods in millions of tonnes to pass through this port especially when we complete the extension of TAZARA from Nseluka to Mpulungu….so definitely expansion and modernization of this port is a priority for government,’’ said Col Panji.

Col Kaunda also visited St. George Fishing Company, the new DC’s offices which are under construction and the Chinese contractor earmarked for the tarring of the township roads.

And Acting Port Manager Christopher Musukuma told Col Kaunda that the port had recorded a downfall in the exportation of Zambian cement, the major export commodity due to the high demand of the commodity on the local market by the construction sector.