Kambwili ‘breaths’ fire

Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has called for equitable distribution of the K88 million Constituency Development Funded (CDF ) , 28.6 kilometre road rehabilitation project between  his constituency and  Luanshya Central constituency, respectively.

And Luanshya municipal Council director Engineering Services Fred Mukuka assured the minister that the council had followed the list of submissions made which were looked at by all stakeholders during the full council meeting and that nothing was altered.

Meanwhile Gomes Haulage Director of Construction William Kabemba  has expressed optimism that the road rehabilitation project  will completed by the December this year.

Mr. Kambwili expressed disappointment at the manner in which the project was allocated between the two constituencies alleging that the council was biased towards Luanshya constituency.

“I have observed that they are many roads being worked on in town than in Roan constituency when I am the one who fought for the road rehabilitation project which we agreed to divide into 14 kilometres for both Roan and Luanshya constituencies , and this will not be acceptable as Roan has only benefited from 10 roads while Luanshya has 22 roads” Kambwili noted.

This came to light when the area MP who is also Minister of Youth and Sport undertook an on the spot check of development projects in his area yesterday  to ensure that development works were taking effect.

Mr. Kambwili has since directed the council to reverse the decision and transfer the excess six kilometers allocated to Luanshya constituency back to Roan to ensure equal distribution of government resources among citizens.

“There must be a lapse somewhere if we were not dribbled, As an engineer from the council, you were supposed to know that the allocation was not fairly done and I direct you to go and sit down with the contractor and reverse the decision.

“  I want to see an equal number of roads and equal number of kilometers for both constituencies, “ Mr. Kambwili said.

He reiterated Government’s resolve to serving all Zambians, saying the PF want to develop the country equitably as per President Michael Sata’s directive of equal distribution of development resources among citizens despite their social status.

Mr. Kambwili stressed that government shall not remain idle and allow for the people of Roan constituency to be treated as second class citizens just because they are located in a densely populated area.

The Roan MP however stated that when he sought for the road rehabilitation project, it was not intended to benefit his constituency alone but that it was meant for Luanshya district as a whole, however noting that he was disappointed with the manner in which division was done.

He also blamed Roan Councillors for allowing the situation being not paying attention to matters during discussion as they sit in the full council meetings were the where these projects were approved.

Mr. Kambwili, who expressed confidence that the road projects would be completed within the implementation period, commended the contractor Gomes Haulage for exhibiting excellent workmanship, saying the contractor showed commitment to work and the quality of work was undisputable.

And Luanshya municipal Council director Engineering Services Fred Mukuka assured the minister that the council had followed the list of submissions made which were looked at by all stakeholders during the full council meeting and that nothing was altered.

Mr. Mukuka however noted that he was not sure on how to address the issue of reversing the excess six kilometers given to Luanshya constituency, as the contract was already approved with surveys conducted and most part of the project was covered.

Meanwhile Gomes Haulage Director of Construction William Kabemba  has expressed optimism that the road rehabilitation project  will completed by the December this year.

Mr. Kabemba said he was speeding up the works to ensure that major works were done before the onset of the rainy season.

He also said as per contract Gomes had subcontracted 20 percent of the project to local contractors who are mainly doing the drainage and some minor works the move which has created employment for the local people.