“focus on road rehabilitation should not only be centred in residential areas only, but in large business areas too,” Mr. Kameya said. The Zambia National Marketeers Credit Association (ZANAMACA) has appealed to government to work on the roads around the New Soweto Market.
In an interview with the Lusaka star, ZANAMACA President, Mupila Kameya, bemoaned the poor state of the road network around the New Soweto Market, which is one of the country’s major trade centers.
"government should focus on road rehabilitation instead of just focusing on residential areas, but also large business areas too,” he said.
He further commended government for its efforts in upgrading major roads accross the country.
“Government must be commended for the massive road infrastructure growth that has been experienced in recent years'" he said.
The ZANAMACA President lamented that it was important for roads at the trading center to be worked on because of its contribution to the country’s economy.
“It is a well-known fact that Soweto Market and its surrounding areas promote economic activities in the country, and as such infrastructure in these areas should be improved,” Mr. Kameya noted.
He further disclosed that Lusaka City Council (LCC) on 11th September, 2014 wrote to ZANAMACA assuring them that the roads would be worked on and nothing had been done yet.
Meanwhile, LCC Director of Engineering Services, Gilbert Sendama, said that the roads around the New Soweto market were being covered under the L400 road project.
“The contractor is ready to move into the Soweto market Area to commence with road works. However, this will only take place after traders that have encroached on the roadways move out,” Mr. Sendama explained.
ZANAMACA has however challenged government to quickly upgrade the roads around New Soweto Market to ensure customers are not inconvenienced especially in this rain season.