The Government says a smooth road network should be promoted in Africa in order to enhance social and economic integration on the continent.

Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Mutaba Mwali said roads were among the most important public assets in Africa and timely maintenance of the network could bring immediate benefits to road users.

The benefits would be through ready and easy access to social and economic amenities while vehicle operating costs are lowered.

Dr Mwali was speaking at the official opening of the 11th African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA) annual general assembly at Sun Hotel in Livingstone yesterday.

Dr Mwali called on African countries to focus on Performance Based Road Contracts (PBRCS) which most developing countries have adopted as a vehicle for sustainable road maintenance.

“You may wish to know that in line with the ARMFA principles, the initial thrust of the road sector reforms in Zambia were to create an independent and sustainable source of funding for road maintenance based on road-user charges or road user contribution,” he said.

The deputy minister said the funds were fenced off from the general Government budget and administered by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA).

“It is clear that preventive maintenance is key to controlling long-term road costs as postponing the required maintenance would drive up long-term costs by shortening the cycle for rehabilitation,” he said.

Dr Mwali said the primary focus for Zambia has been on improving and maintaining existing major international trade corridors.

Zambia, he said, was conducting feasibility studies for the construction of new roads in places where basic infrastructure is desperately needed.

Dr Mwali said that trans-Africa highway has principally existed for some time, but owing to the missing links and poor maintenance on key segments, the continent remains unrealised.

He explained that if a road was allowed to deteriorate uncontrollably over a 15-year period, rehabilitation costs would amount to more than US $200,000 per kilometre.

The deputy minister said maintaining a gravel road for 10 years costs between $10,000 to $20,000 per kilometre depending on climatic and traffic conditions.

NRFA acting chairperson Margaret Chalwe-Mudenda said the significance of road transportation in

sub-Saharan Africa needs no emphasis as the road transport caters for about 80 percent of the region’s passenger and freight.

“Most African roads have deteriorated over time owing to a backlog of road maintenance,” she said.

NRFA director and chief executive officer, Anthony Mwanaumo, said that strengthening the networks could lead to sustainable economic development of the continent.

“We shall commit ourselves to the principles of the association and rally in support of all the deliberations at this general assembly which will result in an appropriate agenda for action for our respective road funds,” he said.

 

 

Source: www.times.co.zm