Minister Charles Milupi Directs New RDA Board to Address Road Sector Debt and Ensure Efficient Infrastructure Delivery

Youth Village Zambia

Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi has called on the newly inducted Road Development Agency (RDA) Board to prioritize dismantling the road sector’s growing debt and implement sustainable financing strategies to ensure the continued development of Zambia’s road infrastructure.

Speaking during the Board’s induction ceremony in Lusaka on Monday, Milupi acknowledged the challenges posed by the mounting debt burden, which has significantly impacted the government’s ability to deliver critical road projects across the country. He emphasized the urgent need for the Board to work closely with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, as well as other road sector agencies, to address this financial strain.

“The new Board is expected to settle in promptly and begin its duties without delay, ensuring the efficient delivery of road infrastructure, which is crucial to the government’s transformation agenda,” Milupi stated. “We need to focus on resolving the debt issue in the sector to improve our capacity to undertake the much-needed infrastructure projects.”

The Minister also stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and integrity in managing taxpayer funds and public assets. As Zambia continues to grapple with fiscal challenges, Milupi called on the Board to uphold the highest standards in financial management while overseeing road development projects.

A key directive from Milupi was the full implementation of the subcontracting policy, aimed at enabling more local contractors to handle major road projects. This move aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directives to ensure that road construction projects are procured at the right price, meet quality standards, and are delivered on time.

Milupi also outlined specific expectations for the Board, including the development of a comprehensive Three-Year Plan. This plan will focus on rehabilitating trunk roads, improving district connectivity, and establishing new road links to facilitate nationwide travel. He emphasized the need for the Board to establish new standards for roads and bridges within six months to address the challenges posed by climate change, particularly the damage caused by flooding.

In response, RDA Board Chairperson, Engineer Yogesh Kuntawala, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the new leadership. He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to enhancing road and bridge infrastructure delivery through innovative strategies and effective financial management.

“We will collaborate with stakeholders to identify sustainable financing solutions to maintain a motorable road network, which is critical for socio-economic development,” Kuntawala said. “In addition, we will leverage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to prioritize economically viable road links that require urgent attention.”

Kuntawala also emphasized the Board’s dedication to building local contractor capacity, in partnership with the National Council for Construction, to enable Zambian contractors to handle large-scale road projects and contribute to the country’s infrastructural growth.

The induction of the new RDA Board marks a crucial step in Zambia’s efforts to address road sector challenges, including financial sustainability, infrastructure quality, and climate resilience. The government’s roadmap for transforming Zambia’s road network remains clear: resolving debt issues, improving project delivery, and empowering local contractors are central to achieving long-term goals for a more connected and economically prosperous nation.

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