By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, December 30, Mana: Kasungu Municipal Council has invested MK924 million to upgrade town roads and fix associated furniture such as drainage system improvements and culverts to ease mobility challenges.

Director of Public Works for the council, Moses Zimba, said in an interview on Monday that the project, which is nearing completion, will benefit all the nine wards in the municipality designated to become a secondary city.

“We are satisfied with the quality of the works done so far. This is a big project that will have a huge impact on the face of the municipality as far as town roads are concerned.

“It is on record that some roads become impassable during the rainy season. They are actually cut off posing mobility challenges. These challenges will no longer be there,” Zimba said. 

He expressed hope that the improved road network will facilitate and boost trade activities within the municipality as well as reduce mobility nightmares for residents.

The scope of works includes road grading to gravel standards, drainage improvement, concrete works and installing culverts.

Joseph Banda, a taxi driver, said driving has always been a nightmare in the municipality especially during rainy seasons when most roads become muddy and impassable.

“We are excited with this project because the conduct of our business has improved. We don’t spend a lot of time ferrying a customer from one point to the other, as was the case previously.

“As times goes, we would wish to have all the roads upgraded to bitumen standards because the population of this town is growing meaning there are many vehicles,” Banda said.

The project, which is being funded through the City Roads Fund, started in August and is expected to complete early January.

Kasungu District has close to a million people and most of them are engaged in agriculture related businesses, which require good road infrastructure.