WORLD Bank has loaned Zambia US $75 million (about K349.1 billion), part of which will go towards the completion of 50 kilometres of the Lusaka-Chirundu Road, Zambia’s key connection with Southern Africa.

The credit facility for the Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance Program (RRMP) Phase II is part of World Bank’s support to the Zambian government’s 10-year (2004-2013) Road Sector Investment Program (RoadSIP II).

Negotiations for RRMP Phase II between GRZ and IDA were successfully concluded in August 2009, after which the credit was approved in October 2009.

World Bank country manager Dr Kapil Kapoor said the credit facility would provide Zambia with financing for main activities such as rehabilitation of 50 kilometres of the Lusaka-Chirundu Road, construction of the Mufuchani Bridge across the Kafue River in Kitwe, the construction of two weighbridges in the Eastern and Copperbelt provinces and prevention of overloading, among others.

Dr Kapoor said he was pleased with the programme because it would not only improve Zambia’s connectivity through the North-South corridor but would also contribute to enhancing livelihoods in the agriculture sector.

“Limited rural accessibility and connectivity is a major constraint in reducing rural poverty and one way in which this project will assist is through the construction of minor bridges and culverts in selected districts in Zambia,” said Dr Kapoor.

Phase I of RRMP, which became effective in July 2004, amounted to US $50 million.

The credit covered major projects such as the rehabilitation of the once perilous escarpment section of the Lusaka-Chirundu Road and the rehabilitation of the Chingola-Kasumbalesa Road, leading to the border with Congo DR.

Other activities included institutional establishment of the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA), the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).

In March 2007, this credit was complemented by a US $25 million additional financing for the urgent rehabilitation of bridges and river crossings damaged during the 2005 and 2006 floods, which has since assisted in the restoration of connectivity.

Both credits were due to close in June 2010, although there is a possibility of extension for the additional financing.