Kaputa DC lashes out at RDA for delayed works

——Kaputa District Commissioner (DC), Chrispine Kachusha, has lashed out at the Road Development Agency (RDA) for the slow pace of work at the Kumusenga Bridge in Kaputa.

Mr Kachusha said it was uncalled for, for the RDA to fail to complete the construction of the bridge within the stipulated time frame.

He said the bridge is OF great benefit to the district as it connects Kaputa to Nsama district and also serves as a link to Nsumbu, a trading area where many businessmen in Kaputa frequent for trade.

The DC noted that continued delays in completing the bridge has greatly affected businessmen who have continued storming his office asking for updates on the infrastructure.

“The road is of great economic value to Kaputa because many of our businessmen use this route for trade but the continued delay has affected their business. And because of this, businessmen are now coming to my office asking when this bridge will be fixed so that they
start normal business,” he said.

Mr Kachusha said this when he inspected works at the Bridge in Kaputa yesterday.
The DC, who quizzed the RDA official as to why some machines that were promised were not available at the site, suspected that money was diverted to other areas.

“If you coasted for equipment in your bill of quantities and machines are not available when they were funded, it means that the money was diverted. Why should you be using people to do the work which a machine was supposed to do?” he questioned.

The directed the agency to bring in the equipment needed to undertake the work for them to complete the works on time.

Mr Kachusha also advised the agency to create an alternative route for vehicles to pass when they will be working on the culverts at Mwawe Bridge.

“You have taken too long to work on the bridge and we will not allow you to again disturb our people from traveling when you will be working on the culverts. You must see to it that you create an alternative path for vehicles to pass,” he directed.

Meanwhile, an RDA official, Kedric Mwangala, claimed that the construction has been completed and only minor works were pending to be done.

Mr Mwangala, who is the Gang Leader, however, said the bridge will be opened to the public at the end of next week.

He added that the agency will also start working on the culverts on Mwawe River once it is done with Kamusenga Bridge.

He has also promised to create a diversion for vehicles to pass while workers will be working on the culverts.

The Kamusenga Bridge and the five culverts on the Kaputa-Nsama road were washed away in March this year due to heavy rains but government has given the contract to RDA to work on the damaged infrastructure.