FOLLOWING the collapse of the Kakoso Bridge along the Chingola-Chililabombwe-Kasumbalesa road in Copperbelt Province, Zambia National Service (ZNS) Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi has called on engineers to tighten collaboration and ensure infrastructure projects meet professional standards.
Speaking when he officiated at the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) Northern Region Annual General Meeting in Kitwe, Solochi warned that national infrastructure cannot survive on shortcuts and shoddy workmanship.
The ZNS boss said professional oversight is key to guaranteeing that roads, bridges and other critical projects stand the test of time.
“The service commends EIZ’s efforts to strengthen the engineering profession, including its push to join the International Engineering Alliance, which will place Zambia’s engineers on the global stage,” Lt Gen Solochi said.
The meeting drew engineers from the EIZ Northern Region, covering Copperbelt, Luapula, Muchinga, Northern and North-Western Provinces, to review progress and challenges facing the profession amid Zambia’s rapidly expanding infrastructure drive.
Lt Gen Solochi highlighted that ZNS has increasingly been involved in engineering-related projects, including construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and drainage systems in areas where infrastructure gaps persist.
He commended EIZ for pushing to join the International Engineering Alliance, a move he said would place Zambia’s engineers firmly on the global stage.
He also challenged engineers to uphold professionalism, reminding them that lapses in conduct reflect not only on themselves but on the entire profession.
Meanwhile, EIZ President Engineer Wesley Kaluba warned that Zambia’s growing infrastructure ambitions face new threats from climate change.
Recent floods and extreme weather events, he said, have exposed weaknesses in the country’s roads and bridges, with some washed away or badly damaged.
Kaluba called for stronger engineering leadership and closer collaboration between engineers and government institutions. He revealed that EIZ has submitted proposals aimed at strengthening urban drainage systems and improving settlement planning to reduce seasonal flooding.
“We are further calling for closer collaboration between engineers and government institutions, highlighting that the institution had already submitted proposals aimed at strengthening urban drainage systems and improving settlement planning to reduce seasonal flooding,” Kaluba said.
By Sanfrossa Mberi
Kalemba, March 15, 2026
