Government says plans are underway to resume the rehabilitation of Lumbadzi – Dowa Boma road which was abandoned some years ago due to lack of funding
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Francis Kasaila revealed the development on Friday, saying discussions with the contractor are now at an advanced stage.
Kasaila said among the conditions, they have agreed to pay the contractor all the arrears using the bonds floated by the treasury before the resumption of the project.
”At the moment, the procedure of the bond is that the accounts of the contractor has to be audited before the bond is offered”. Said Kasaila.
”The auditing is being facilitated by the office of the Auditor General and there after we will issue the bond to the contractor. We believe that the moment the bond is issued we will be able to pay the contractor the money we agreed so that they can get back to the site and restart the work”. The Minister explained.
He further said his ministry is working together with the Ministry of Finance and hope that the auditing be finalized in time to give the contractor enough time to start doing the work before the next rainy season.
Kasaila highlighted that the rehabilitation of the road is so significant to the development of people in the area as Dowa boma is a hub of various economic activities in the district.
According to the Minister, the completion of the 5-kilometer road will approximately require 5 million United States Dollars.
