ZRHSG’s Mthoniswa Banda issues ‘Road Usage Travel Advisory to Zambian parents!’
By Mthoniswa Banda Consultancy Ltd
Consultants at favourable media and public relations www.facebook.com/MthoniswaB
THE Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is urging parents and school administrators to exercise maximum caution and care in their usage of Zambian roads these coming few days as they ferry pupils from home to their respective schools in readiness for the school new term.
In a Sunday, 8th May, 2022 Press Statement, the Zambian Roads and Highway Safety Group has noted with dismay that most of the Zambian highways are not fit and safe for long distance travel as they are riddled with potholes, un even surfaces and have poor or no road markings.
This makes them a challenge to drive on especially when there is a heavy built up of traffic due to schools re-opening.
The Group calls on parents driving their children to school to ensure a more competent and skilled driver is the one assigned the task and that the vehicles being used are well maintained and fit for the journey.
The Group is also urging school administrations to ensure their hired buses are road worthy and the drivers qualified to drive on Zambian highways.
The Group wishes a safe journey to all pupils.
The Group further notes that there are no visible efforts by the Government through their agents the Road Development Agency (RDA) among others to mend the damaged roads or built new routes.
“The Great North Road from Chisamba to Ndola is nearly impassable while the Mumbwa-Kaoma and Kaoma to Mongu stretch on the Great West Road is challenging. Others like the Mazabuka – Choma stretch, Kapiri – Nakonde stretches require patience and a good vehicle to drive on,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda.
The Group has noted that despite motorists and advocacy road safety groups reporting that the stretch on the Great North Road between Chisamba and Ndola being badly damaged and ridden with dangerous ridges that make them un safe for use as a highway and busy road, the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) have not moved on site to remedy the situation.
The Group also notes that several critical roads throughout the country have remained un safe and prone to accidents without these agencies, the RDA, NRFA, moving on site to remedy the situation.
The Group hopes the New Dawn Government will revise the way roads are built and maintained and review the day to day management of tolled busy roads.
Signed: EJMB
Mthoniswa Banda
Group Admin – Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG)
+260977 405086
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Background Information
The Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is a registered road safety and road health group with over 9,600 members who promote an improved road network and road safety in Zambia. The Group offers space for sharing personal experiences and knowledge on road safety issues on Zambian roads and Highways.
These discussions will help identify road safety issues, bad policies and bad road designs requiring improvement by government and its agencies such as RTSA, RDA, NRFA, ZP and local councils.
Periodically, the ZRHSG will produce a statement summarising the group discussion and sharing this opinion with Road Safety agencies and other policy makers so they improve Zambia’s Road Safety.
The Group also has awareness and capacity building programmes for keeping road users safe and healthy while on the Zambian roads.
Mthoniswa Banda in a blue shirt
