By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Solwezi Municipal Council has commenced construction of Kyankwankwa road and four connecting roads into the T5 (Independence Avenue) to bituminous standard
The four connecting roads are Shoprite, ZESCO, Zambezi Station and Coppers Corner using chip and spray at a cost of K8.5 million using Local Revenue in form of property rates partly retained by Kansanshi Mining.
And Solwezi Mayor Remmy Kalepa in the company of Solwezi Municipal Council Management led by the Town Clerk Bornwell Luanga and Kansanshi Mining Officials led by the Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska where on site to check on the progress of the road works besides ascertaining the quality of the constructions works.
Mr Kalepa said that he is aware of the concerns of Solwezi residents regarding sustainability of roads and how key the drainage system is in that respect.
He has assured the Solwezi community that the Contracted Company; Kansanshi Mining is equal to the task which will install the drainage system after completion of the road works.
Mr Kalepa said Solwezi Municipal Council will this year upgrade a total stretch of 3.2 Km to bituminous standard using chip and spray stating that the Local Authority is determined to improve the status of roads in the district.
The Mayor also noted that once done, the roads will help in beautifying the Central Business District and aid in the process of the Council attaining City status.
Solwezi Municipal Council has a Memorandum of Understanding with Kansanshi Mining where the mining Company retains part of the rates which they are supposed to pay to the Council with a view of ploughing back to the community as service delivery.
The total amount payable to the Local Authority by Kansanshi Mining is K63 million out of which K8.5 million has this year been retained to go towards road works.
This is contained in a statement issued by Assistant Public Relations Manager Esther Chirwa
