The sound of heavy machinery has become a welcome soundtrack across Chadiza district as the Town Council pushes ahead with an ambitious road rehabilitation programme that is transforming how rural communities connect with essential services.
Using funds from the 2025 Constituency Development Fund, the Council has already made impressive progress on what many residents say is the most significant road infrastructure development the district has seen in years. With a target of completing no less than 100 kilometers of road works this year, the programme is breathing new life into routes that had become almost impassable.
The Council’s smart decision to invest CDF money in purchasing their own fleet of heavy machinery has proven to be a game-changer. Now equipped with a grader, compactor, tipper truck, TLB, and a new 20,000-liter water bowser, they have complete control over project timelines and quality standards. “We are using our own machinery to carry out the works, which allows us to maintain better oversight and ensure consistent progress,” explains Mr. Mwansa Mumba D, the Council Secretary.
The transformation is already visible across multiple routes. The Kabvumo loop, a vital lifeline for several rural communities, has completed all 14 kilometers of road formation and is now ready for the final compaction phase. The 3.5-kilometer stretch linking Kantantha Primary School to the main Chadiza Town road has also finished its formation stage and is being carefully gravelled and compacted to ensure students and teachers can reach school regardless of weather conditions.
One of the most dramatic turnarounds has been the Prisons Road, which had deteriorated so badly that it became nearly impossible to navigate during the rainy season. The road serves not just the local correctional facility but also connects surrounding communities to essential services. Road formation has been completed and the compaction work is now finished, making this previously troublesome route fully accessible year-round.
But perhaps nowhere is the impact more felt than on the Bwanunkha-Chiseba route. What started as an 8-kilometer rehabilitation project has been extended to 10.6 kilometers to ensure complete connectivity to Chiseba School. Bernard Phiri, who has lived in Chiseba for years, remembers the frustration of the old road. “Even though the distance is only 10 kilometers, the terrible state of the road made it extremely difficult to travel to other parts for business. What should have been a 20-minute journey often took us over an hour, especially during the rainy season.”
Now, with the full 10.6 kilometers of road formation completed, Phiri and his neighbors are seeing real change. Compaction work is progressing well on the route, bringing the project closer to full completion.
Munaye Samampimbi, the Council’s Director of Engineering overseeing the works, sees the bigger picture beyond just transportation. “These roads are not just about transport – they’re about improving lives. They connect families to schools, markets, and clinics, and open up opportunities for economic activities. This is why we are committed to delivering quality infrastructure to our rural communities.”
The impact is already being felt economically. Farmers can now move their produce to markets more efficiently, while small traders and business owners find it easier to operate across the district. The emphasis on creating all-weather roads means these benefits continue even during the challenging rainy season, when reliable access to healthcare and education becomes even more critical.
For residents across the affected areas, the programme represents more than just better roads – it’s proof that their voices are being heard and their needs addressed. As one Chiseba resident put it, “This is more than just a road. It’s a path to better education, easier business, and a stronger connection to the rest of the district.”
With road formation completed on all the major routes and compaction work progressing steadily, the Council has moved its focus to new areas. Currently, road formation is taking place in Mlolo Compound of Chadiza District, extending the programme’s reach to serve even more communities. The momentum continues as the Council works toward its ambitious target of 100 kilometers for the year, and if current progress is any indication, 2025 will be remembered as the year Chadiza’s rural communities finally got the infrastructure they deserve.
