Kitwe City Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe has disclosed that only 15 kilometers out of the 56 kilometers of road works under the Zambia Township Roads Project – ZTRP in Kitwe has been covered, a project which was earmarked for local economic development.
Barely a month after Avic International abandoned the works on the Kitwe road works due to lack of funding, the mayor has confirmed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that works on the site have resumed despite moving at a slower pace as the ministry of Finance has not yet finalized the financing of the project.
He added that the city has through China Hainan Construction in partnership with Nkana Water also identified a phase 2 project of supply of water and sanitation services whose idea is to present the capacity of local contractors and increase the capacity of Zambian Suppliers.
Kang’ombe stated that the council has since started building toilets in Mindolo Township and has supplied critical repairs of the sewer network in Chamboli but that the project is still lagging behind due finances. The mayor stated that he has since appealed to the ministry of Water and Sanitation to finalize the financing of the remaining US$200 million for the project to move at a faster pace.
“We have had challenges with financing for both projects and we are hoping that by next month government will soon conclude with the agreements made on the financing of the projects and by December this year we should be able to see a lot of progress,” he said.
The Kitwe mayor further stated that the road project being implemented by Avic International has attracted over 20% of local participation in sub-contracting a move which he said is aimed at identifying the local people to benefit in business opportunities presented.
“We have as a city made sure that the level of engagement with the business community and the informal sector and various stakeholders in any business opportunities to be identified in the city is extended to the local people and that local businesses are considered for every development that comes in the city for the well-being of citizens in the country,” he said.
Kitwe is Zambia’s second largest city by population and provides an alternative business and residential option for Zambians. The city lies at the central position to most Copperbelt towns and is currently home to Zambia’s largest mixed use shopping mall and office park, the ECL mall and business park.
