The Ministry of Works and Transport has commissioned the start of the construction of the Nakabolelwa-Mbalasinte and Kasika roads in the eastern flood plains of the Zambezi Region.

Minister John Mutorwa said the government is committed to ensuring that development reaches all corners of the country.

The Works and Transport Minister noted that the construction of the flood plains road will cost taxpayers more than N$500 million due to the difficulty in the area, which needs more bridges and 115 culverts.

The Nakabolelwa-Mbalasinte and Kasika roads are phase two of the Izimwe Nakabolelwa road constructed a few years ago and will be constructed to low volume seal betumen standard.

The project will start with the major bridges that are expected to be five meters high and culvets and will be constructed over a period of eight months.

"The project is divided into two phases, phase number one is from Izimwe to Nakabolelwa, which was completed already, as I am told there is a gravel road. Now today what brought us here is to bear witness to the commencement of phase number two of this road, which will start again in Nakabolelwa through Invilinvizi and Mbalasinte up to Kasika. It is estimated that the length of the road is 33.4 km."

Mutorwa appealed to residents to cooperate with the constructor while encouraging the constructor not to ignore traditional knowledge from the community along the construction areas.

Ondjove Construction Company and Tulipamwe as the consultants will construct the multimillion-dollar flood plain road.

Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Conrad Lutombi said the roads will bring relief to residents of the flood-prone areas because, at completion, residents will be able to access their villages and government services without using the boats or canoes.

Dr. Lutombi assured residents of Muyako and the surrounding villages that the upgrading of the Bukalo-Nuyako-Ngoma road to betumen standard will start as soon as everything is finalised.

"Muyako Road will be upgraded to a low volume seal, and there is no lying about it, there is no negotiation about it, it's going to take place; it's going to happen."

The construction of the roads will be done by the Tulipamwe company.