Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Alex Mapushi has urged the Road Development Agency (RDA) to engage with local authorities on projects earmarked to be worked on, in order to avoid encroachment into the road reserves.
Mr. Mapushi expressed concern with the amount of encroachment within road reserves in the province, saying the practice poses a danger to the lives of members of the public.
He was speaking when he inspected Lilayi and Shantumbu roads, to check on the levels of encroachment within the road reserves.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary observed that the culture of encroaching into road reserves has become rampant.
Mr. Mapushi warned that owners of structures which have been built within road reserves risk having their properties demolished without compensation, noting that encroachment is illegal.
And speaking shortly after the inspection, Road Development Agency (RDA) Provincial Roads Engineer, Pandeki Chabala disclosed that Shantumbu road has been earmarked for upgrading to bituminous standards.
Engineer Chabala said to that effect, the agency is running a tender in the public media for prospective contractors to clinch the contract.
He however said with the level of encroachment, it will be a challenge for the contractor, once the bidding process is complete.
Meanwhile, Kafue District Commissioner Morris Hikapulwe said the administration will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the encroachment problem is dealt with.
