Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Lungu kick start the Solwezi Chingola road works
President Edgar Lungu has maintained that all the revenue being collected at toll gates should be ploughed back into road maintenance.
The President says reports show that Zambians have welcomed the introduction of toll gates but that they want to see a well maintained road network in the country.
President Lungu says it is for this reason that all the money collected at toll gates should be used to maintain the roads.
Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela says the President said this at State House when he received a progress report for infrastructure development and maintenance cluster from his Ministry and the Ministry of Works and Supply.
The report was jointly presented by Mr. Chitotela and his Works and Supply counterpart Felix Mutati.
Mr. Chitotela says he and Mr. Mutati updated the Head of State on the challenges faced and gave him the focus for 2018.
He adds that the President expressed delight on the progress made so far and he encouraged us to continue implementing projects that are of economic value to Zambia.
And Mr. Chitotela says the President expressed concern at the quality of infrastructure being put up especially in newly created districts in the country.
He discloses that the President has urged the two ministers to speak to the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) to make sure that consultants that are being engaged are vigilant in monitoring the infrastructure to ensure that there is quality in their works.
Mr. Chitotela says President Lungu is also concerned that some contractors have continued to abandon projects.
He says the President has directed him to ensure that punitive action is taken on all contractors who abandon works.
This is contained in a statement issued to QFM News by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development Public Relations Officer Jeff Banda.