State dishes K1bn for projects

GOVERNMENT has released K1billion for the 2014 first quarter public investments and special projects throughout the country.
Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba said of the K1billion released by the Treasury, K140 million was targeted at remodelling works at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Mr Yamba said in a statement released by Ministry of Finance public relations officer, Chileshe Kandeta, that K15 million was for recapitalisation of the Government Printing Department, while K35 million was for ZESCO rehabilitation works with K4.5 million being for the Copperbelt Environmental Programme.
He said K1 million was for the Rural Finance Programme and that during the period under review, K6.4 million was released for the Youth Skills Development Programme.
Mr Yamba said Government would continue to support the young people of Zambia with practical interventions in order to tap into their budding, but latent capacities.
He said the Treasury also released K6.8 million as Government support to the Millennium Challenge Account Compact, an entity responsible for implementing the United States of America (USA) supported water and sanitation project for Lusaka worth US$ 350million.
He said a further K245 million was released to the National Road Fund Agency, as fuel levy revenue collected in the first quarter.
Mr Yamba said in addition, the Ministry of Finance released, among others K64 million for the construction and upgrading of the Isoka-Muyombe-Chama-Lundazi Road.
He said K40 million was allocated under the Pave Zambia Road Project, while K20 million was for speeding up works on the Bottom Road in Southern Province and K20 million for periodic maintenance of the Ndola – Kitwe Dual Carriageway.
He said K20 million was set aside for upgrading 70 Kilometres of the Pedicle Road, K20 million for the Tetayoyo-Katunda/Lukulu Junction upgrade, K20 million for the rehabilitation of the Kasama-Mporokoso Road and another K20 million for the upgrading of the Mbesuma-Kasama Road.
Government further set aside K20 million for the maintenance of the Kabwe-Kapiri Road, K20 million for the maintenance of the Ndola City roads, K17 million for upgrading the Chipata-Mfuwe Road and K10 million for the Chingola – Kitwe Dual Carriageway works.
Mr Yamba said K15 million was set aside for Livingstone City roads to enhance the status of Livingstone not only as the tourist capital, but also as the cleanest town in Zambia and an international destination of choice.