Engineers from the Zambia National Service (ZNS) have made progress in the construction of a nine-kilometer detour on the Great East Road in Rufunsa District ahead of the reconstruction of the partially collapsed Mambwe Bridge.

The Mambwe Bridge partially collapsed in January after heavy rains experienced in Rufunsa District, leading to motorists heading to and from Eastern Province failing to use the Great East Road for two days.

The works on the detour are costing K6 million.

ZNS Chief of Land Development Branch Brigadier General Jephan Mukanda says so far, one kilometer on the detour has been completed while another five kilometers has been cleared and is being compacted.

Brigadier General Mukanda says the whole nine-kilometer stretch is expected to be completed within four weeks.

Speaking when Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Mr. Norman Chipakupaku inspected the construction site this morning, Brigadier General Mukanda thanked the government for providing the necessary funding and support for the project.

“Due to the heavy rains being experienced here, we are timing our works because we can’t clear while the ground is wet. So we are working when it gets a bit dry,” said Brigadier General Mukanda.

He said once the detour is completed, works on the Mambwe Bridge will commence and they are likely to take four to five months to complete.

Brigadier General Mukanda said in the meantime, the travelling public will continue using the acrow bridge which has been installed at Mambwe Bridge.

He said the bridge is strong enough to withstand the pressure from traffic using the Great East Road.

And Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Mr. Norman Chipakupaku has assured Engineering Units in the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force and Zambia National Service that government will buy them enough equipment to respond to emergencies countrywide.

Mr. Chipakupaku says the Zambia Defence Force has the duty to respond to emergencies and help the economy run smoothly.

“In the 2025 National Budget, we budgeted for equipment for you, and in the 2026 National Budget, we will add some more. We want you to be fully equipped so that you can respond to disasters at short notice in any part of the country,” said Mr. Chipakupaku.

He said the government is proud of the work the military is doing across the country, especially towards infrastructure development and emergency response.

Meanwhile, Zambia National Service Chief of Public Relations Brigadier General Mulenga Nyone has thanked the government for giving the service several contracts for infrastructure development across the country.

Brigadier General Nyone said ZNS is equal to the task and is executing the work as instructed.

“We are constructing dams, bridges, roads and several infrastructure across the country due to the confidence government has in us. We appreciate so much,” said Brigadier General Nyone.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer Paul Shalala.