Over 2,300 Locals Employed Under Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway Project
Road Development Agency (RDA) has disclosed that 2,311 people have been employed under the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway project from the time construction works commenced in May this year.
Speaking during a media tour of the project, Agency Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager, Anthony Mulowa said of this number, 1,104 are general workers, 245 machine operators, while 895 were doing other construction related jobs, with 37 in administration and 30 Engineers.
And Mr. Mulowa revealed that works on the Project are currently at 15% physical progress, excluding works on the Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road which will be inspected tomorrow to get an update.
“The project has been divided into four lots that is, from Lusaka to Chibombo, Chibombo to Kapiri Mposhi, Kapiri Mposhi to Ndola, and Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road.”
“So, the progress being reported on today is on the actual dual carriageway works from Lusaka to Ndola. This excludes works on the Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road which we will inspect tomorrow to get an update,” Mr. Mulowa stated.
He explained that the project also involves the rehabilitation of 45 kilometres of the Masangano-Luanshya Road, and construction of approximately 30 kilometres long bypasses in Kabwe and Kapiri-Mposhi towns.
“The Concession Agreement (CA) for upgrading of the Lusaka-Ndola Road into a dual carriageway was signed with MOIC-LN.”
“The Concession period is for 25 years with three years as a construction phase and 22 years for operations and maintenance. The project scope is to upgrade 327 kilometres of the road to dual carriageway road from Lusaka to Ndola,” he reiterated.
Mr. Mulowa further stated that two new Toll Plazas will be constructed, one on the Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Section, and the other between Chibombo and Kabwe.
“One new weighbridge will be constructed at Kafulafuta with the existing one at Kapiri Mposhi being upgraded and maintained. A new bridge has been designed and will be constructed at Kafubu Bridge in Ndola,” Mr. Mulowa added.
The Concession Agreement for the project was signed on 28th February 2023 with the Concessionaire, Macro Ocean Investment Consortium, at a cost of US$649.9 million.