The Roads Authority has attributed the scaling down of Neno District road construction works to the current rains where working on earthroads and laying of asphalt is difficult and also delayed payments to the contractor. 

The Authority's spokesperson Alice Chinthochi has told Zodiak Online today, Thursday, that funding for the resumption of construction works lies with the Roads Fund Administration, but the contractor is mandated to work on sections that need urgent attention.

She said issues to do with contract money disbursement is the mandate of the Roads Administration Fund hence RA is not in a position to know when funds will be released for the resumption of the project.

But in the past, the Roads Authority has been coming to Neno with contractors and the sums of money allocated for the project.

"When we handover a project site to a contractor, the expectation is that they take up responsibility of maintaining the road. When a contractor suspends works due to delayed payments, all activities are affected like maintenance of diversions and the existing road are also affected. 

In such a situation, the RA relies on negotiation and not penalty as the Employer is in default," said Chinthochi. 

Meanwhile, Neno Road Advocacy Group chairperson Samson Njolomole, has expressed optimism that the road will be funded as Transport minister Jappie Mhango said it will be allocated in the National budget.

Njolomole said that " I am sure it will be funded since the minister promised us that, during his recent visit to our district,". But he asked for maintenance on impassable sections.

The Neno road has been a subject of concern to the people of Neno who are failing to utilize the districts agricultural potential due to lack of transportation and connections.