PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OF KASAMA-MBALA-MPULUNGU COMPLETED

The periodic maintenance of the Kasama - Mbala - Mpulungu Road in Northern Province has been completed at a cost of K122 billion.

The road is a gateway to the great lakes region and will facilitate Zambia’s exports to neighboring countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.  The road will also open up the Northern Province to other business opportunities by providing accessibility and connectivity between Kasama, Mbala and Mpulungu which is Zambia’s only Port.

 The works were packaged into two Lots with the first Lot comprising 110 kilometer from Kasama to Senga Hill at a cost of K61.8 billion and  Lot 2 covering  a distance of 100 kilometers from Senga Hill to Mpulungu Harbor at a cost of K59.8 billion. The works were undertaken by Raubex Construction Zambia Limited and  supervised by East Consult Limited in association with BNC Consult Limited.  

The scope of work on both sections included but were not limited to pothole patching, reconstruction of sections of the road, construction and surfacing of the road shoulders and double seal dressing of the existing carriageway.  Other works were edge repairs, drainage works such as construction of culverts, cleaning of existing culverts and installation of road furniture.

Works on both sections of the road commenced on 20 July, 2008 and were completed in April 2010.  The delay in completion of the project was largely due to inclement weather. The road is now under Defects Liability Period, a 12 month period in which the Contractor is obliged to correct any defects that might occur during this period.