• Initial phase targets five roads.
• This will ensure value for money in the projects.
• The samples being collected will be tested and analyzed.
National Council for Construction (NCC) in collaboration with Road Development Agency (RDA) has commenced testing of Asphalt cores for the newly constructed and rehabilitated roads under the L400 Project.
Council Executive Director, Engineer Ernest Nshindano told Money FM News that this will ensure value for money in the projects.
Engineer Nshindano stated that the initial phase targets five roads which include Kabangwe-Chaminuka link, Kamanga-Caltex filling station, Lumumba Road and Shantumbu road among others that were randomly selected for testing using the NCC – Construction Material Testing Laboratory to ascertain their quality.
“The exercise commenced on 10th November 2021 with the extraction of core samples from the named roads. The sampling exercise for Lusaka is expected to be completed by 20th November, thereafter the team will proceed to collect samples on the Copperbelt. Preliminary results of this exercise will be available by 10th December 2021, after which NCC will embark on a similar audit on buildings, “ Engineer Nshindano said.
He noted that the samples being collected from the various roads will be tested and analyzed for thickness, binder Content, grading and level of Compaction.
Engineer Nshindano added that as a regulatory agency, the Council remains committed to improving the quality of infrastructure in support of national development by ensuring that projects are undertaken within the acceptable costs, quality and time.
“Contractors are therefore urged to ensure that they comply with all necessary regulations and specifications as per client needs,” he added.