By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
The National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) has saved 450-million kwacha which could have been paid out to contractors through irregular expenditure on various road construction projects.
NRFA Chief Executive Officer Wallece Mumba says the savings are from 2011 to date through monitoring of projects issued to contractors.
Mr Mumba also said the agency has seen that there is no value for money in most of the projects that are given to contractors at local level.
Mr Mumba said the engineers in the local authorities need to be equipped so that road construction projects are well monitored to save on resources.
He said NRFA in conjunction with local authorities countrywide has been monitoring road construction projects and upholding contract obligations.
Mr Mumba has also called on engineers to start building public confidence by improving on their works.
He said road construction projects should be cost reflective, which should be seen through the quality and completion period of projects.
Mr Mumba said this when he addressed a workshop of 40 engineers in Solwezi District.
And North Western Province Permanent Secretary Grandson Katambi said cartels in road construction must come to an end.
Colonel Katambi said some engineers are compromised because of the numerous cartels in the road construction projects.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Provincial Planning Director Davison Mapiza.
