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Zambia National Service (ZNS) Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi II has confirmed that Eastern Province has been cut off from Lusaka following heavy rains that washed away a bridge over the Kankumba Stream on the Great East Road around the Sinjela area in Rufunsa District.
However, Solochi assured that the Great East Road was expected to reopen to traffic later today once works on a temporary diversion are completed.
In a joint statement issued by Lusaka Provincial Administration Principal Public Relations Officer, Logic Lukwanda and Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer Paul Shalala, Solochi said engineers from ZNS and the Road Development Agency (RDA) had delivered Acrow bridge panels for the installation of a temporary structure.
“Works on a diversion have begun to restore traffic flow, with six additional tipper trucks en route from Lusaka carrying materials,” Solochi said.
He further disclosed that President Hakainde Hichilema had directed the Zambia Army, ZNS and RDA to conduct a nationwide assessment of all bridges.
“The order came immediately after the President learned of the collapse, with engineers from the institutions set to begin inspections promptly,” Solochi said.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata praised the swift response by ZNS and RDA, describing it as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to easing hardships faced by the public.
RDA Director of Road Maintenance, Engineer Paul Habasimbi, said full installation of the Acrow bridge was expected to take three days.
In a related development, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Rufunsa District Officer Sharon Banda said mobile toilets and an ambulance would be deployed at the site to assist stranded travellers.
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