Tarring the Truth

... UPND's Road to Legacy

Copperbelt upgrades signal shift from empty promises to tangible impact

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (September 12, 2024) – The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has declared its road infrastructure projects across the Copperbelt Province as a landmark achievement—one that symbolizes a new era of action-driven leadership and development-first governance.

At a media briefing in Lusaka, UPND Media Director Mark Simuwe said the party's approach to infrastructure marks a clean break from past administrations that often relied on political showmanship over delivery.

He said these road projects are a statement of intent—proof that President Hakainde Hichilema’s government is not just making promises, but laying down concrete progress.

Leading the list is the Ndola-Lusaka dual carriageway, once priced at a staggering $2.1 billion under the Patriotic Front (PF), now being constructed at less than half the cost through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

“No loans, no debt burden—just smart financing and accountability,” Simuwe stressed.

“Unlike the PF, which failed to act due to Zambia’s debt crisis, the UPND secured a PPP deal that not only delivers the road but also ensures maintenance, all at the developer’s expense,” he said.

Across the Copperbelt, townships are undergoing a visible transformation. Roads are being tarred. Drainage systems are being upgraded.

From Itawa in Mufulira to Chingola, Kitwe, and Masangano, long-neglected areas are now opening up to commerce and improved mobility.

“In Luanshya, we’re not just fixing roads—we’re installing public Wi-Fi,” Simuwe added. “This is the face of modern governance.”

These infrastructure projects, he said, are more than just construction milestones—they are political victories.

“For decades, Copperbelt residents heard promises. Now they’re seeing results,” Simuwe said.

Other ongoing projects include the construction of a concrete road from Kitwe West to Ghana area in Ndola and modernization of the Sub-Masala border post.

“Some of these roads will serve Zambians for over 60 years,” he said. “This is not campaign bait—it’s legacy building.”

He also revealed that each township has received K3.2 million annually since 2021 under a decentralized infrastructure fund. The goal? Inclusive growth that leaves no district behind.

The roads are already making an impact—stimulating local businesses, creating jobs, and opening access to healthcare and education.

“Our infrastructure model supports free education and health by expanding revenue through economic activity,” Simuwe said.

As 2026 draws closer, Simuwe urged citizens to judge the UPND not by slogans, but by the roads beneath their feet.

“What we’re witnessing,” he concluded, “is a new political culture—where tarmac replaces talk.”