By Angela Hanunka
The National Road Fund Agency –NRFA- has urged local authorities to prioritise drainage maintenance as a long-term solution to recurring potholes.
NRFA Acting Director for Monitoring and Evaluation, VERNON NGULUBE, says poor drainage systems remain a leading cause of rapid road deterioration in many urban areas.
Mr. NGULUBE points to parts of Livingstone, where silted drainage systems have for years undermined efforts to repair potholes.
He was speaking during a practical training session on road maintenance for local authority engineers from Southern and Western provinces.
The training programme covers key areas such as material testing, culvert installation, drainage design and effective pothole patching techniques.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Acting Principal Engineer for Roads, DAN BANDA, said the government has increased efforts to equip councils with practical road maintenance skills under the decentralisation programme.
Mr. BANDA noted that many local authorities are facing more complex road challenges due to previously delayed maintenance works.
He added that although most councils have acquired modern road maintenance equipment through the Constituency Development Fund -CDF, there is a need to strengthen technical capacity to ensure timely interventions.
