Mongu-Kalabo Road will economically open Zambia to Angola-Scott

Acting President Guy Scott says the Mongu-Kalabo road once completed early next year will economically open up Zambia to neighbouring Angola.

Dr. Scott said he is happy with the massive infrastructure investment undertaken by the PF administration on the 35 kilometre stretch road project.

He said the road will stir trade ties between the two countries as well as improve the livelihood of the people.

The Acting President was speaking in Mongu today when he inspected and toured the on-going road works. Government through the Road Development Agency  (RDA) has engaged Avic International and Rankin Engineering Consultants to construct the US$286.9 million road project.

He stressed that government had the duty and mandate to develop Western province and Zambia as a whole.

He said the road once completed will cut away water transport which he said was expensive to the people of Mongu and Kalabo districts when travelling to and from the two areas.

During the rainy season, the boat is a major source of transport among the indigenous people.

Earlier, RDA Western Regional Manager Gershom Mwagomba disclosed that a total of US$160 million has so far been utilized on the road works.

Mr Mwagomba assured the Acting President that the road works project is on course.

He further disclosed that so far 70 percent of the project has been done, a move which impressed Dr. Scott.

Meanwhile, Dr. Scott, who was accompanied by his wife, Charlotte, PF Mongu Central Member of Parliament Nathaniel Mubukwanu, Western Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Seyuba, Local Government and Housing Minister Emmanuel Chenda, PF Secretary General Davies Chama and other senior party and government officials, inspected the maternity annex and the Relatives’ shelter that are almost complete at Lewanika General Hospital.

Western Province Medical Officer Andrew Silumesi disclosed that once the maternity annex was completed, it would help de-congest the ordinary maternity wing at the hospital.

The Acting President has since returned to Lusaka after concluding his one-day tour of developmental projects in Mongu district in Western province.