ZNS urged to bid for national road construction contracts

Deputy Minister of Defence Joseph Lungu has urged the Zambia National Service (ZNS) land development branch to intensify its efforts of bidding for national road contracts so as to utilize its capacity fully.

Colonel Lungu said ZNS has the capacity to undertake any form of road construction project once it is equipped with adequate earth moving machinery.

He was speaking in Limulunga district where he inspected ongoing works on the construction of Ushaa road which links Limulunga to Mongu and Kalabo.

He commended the service through its land development brunch for making steady progress in the area of land development in the country despite various challenges the branch is facing.

Col. Lungu, who is minister in charge of ZNS and rural development, hoped that the ZNS pilot project of linking remote areas through the construction and rehabilitation of feeder roads could be extended to all parts of the country,.

And speaking in Mongu when he toured the ZNS land development branch, Col. Lungu expressed sadness at the obsolete equipment which is parked at the service provincial office.

The Deputy Minister of Defence has however disclosed that government was in the process of procuring a new fleet of assorted earth moving equipment for the service to improve its efficiency.

He also appreciated the role ZNS and the Disaster Management and Mitigations Unit (DMMU) were playing in mitigating the adverse affects of disasters on rural people.

Col. Lungu noted that government has confidence in the service’s ability to deliver to the expectations of the Zambian people in various aspects.

He meanwhile implored the uniformed personnel to desist from corruption and not to fall prey to unscrupulous businessmen who may want to use ZNS equipment at a cost which is less than the market cost.

And ZNS Western province Acting Land Development Officer, Obrien Misapa, outlined various challenges the service was facing.

Lieutenant Misapa said challenges which the service was facing included inadequate accommodation, transport, outstanding claims and allowances and lack of necessary equipment to facilitate the daily operations of the service.

The Deputy Minister was in the province to familiarize himself with the operations of the Zambia National Service.