country should stop quarrelling over Lusaka Ndola road construction – President Hichilema.

The country should stop quarrelling over Lusaka Ndola road construction – President Hichilema.

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says citizens should move away from petty squabbles over the Lusaka – Ndola Road construction.

President Hichilema said the dual-carriage way will be constructed at half the price (US$ 577 Million), compared to $1.2 billion which was the total cost for the construction under the previous government.

Since the government signed the US$ 577 concession agreement with Macro Ocean Investment Consortium Limited, there has been debate on the issue.

“The PPP is a wonderful way of getting things done [especially] when people thought it was impossible to build the road at a lesser/ half the cost and better quality,” he said

The Head of State was speaking during the official opening of the new ABSA Bank head office in Lusaka yesterday.

President Hichilema urged the corporate world, including ABSA. to support the government’s ingenious way of developing infrastructure such as the public private partnership for the Lusaka – Ndola road construction.

“This will allow the treasury to focus on infrastructure that is slightly longer in maturity,” President Hichilema said.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema called ABSA to focus their corporate social responsibility on wealth creation projects as it will lead to poverty alleviation.

ABSA Zambia Bank chief executive officer Mizinga Melu said the ABSA House, which also has a premium centre was a state of the art infrastructure, built at the cost of US$25 million and will accommodate over 500 employees under one roof.

ABSA group chairperson Sello Moloko said the Absa House does not only symbolises a beautiful landmark but it’s a symbol of the bank’s commitment to the long term well being of Zambia.

Meanwhile, Bank of Zambia governor Dr Denny Kalyalya, through a representative Mulenga Mhango, urged the banking sector to increase financial interventions and lend to to key stakeholders.

By Moses Makwaya

Kalemba