THE Japanese Government has pledged its support to ensuring that Zambia experiences sustainable economic growth.

Speaking during the hand-over of recently completed K135 billion (US$27 million) Ndola and Kitwe urban roads in Ndola yesterday, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Akio Egawa said despite facing?  rebuilding challenges, his country was still obliged to ensuring that Zambia and Africa experienced economic growth.

"Japan has its own challenge of rebuilding after an unprecedented earthquake? and tsunami last year, however, the Government and people of Japan remain committed to acceleration of the economic and social development of Zambia and Africa," he said.

Mr Egawa said the project which was funded through the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) was completed in February and saw the successful rehabilitation of nine city roads in Ndola covering 12.73km and 14 roads in stretching to 11.63km in Kitwe.

The project also facilitated the creation of drainages alongside the roads and development of pavements which would save as important features of safety and durability.

And Local Government and Housing Minister, Emerine Kabanshi said the development was a demonstration that Zambia was on the move to sustainable social-economic development.

She said the Government had prioritised the construction and rehabilitation of the road network countrywide as evidenced by the recent launch of the link Zambia - 8000 road network project by President Michael Sata.

"This momentous project is out of the realisation that the road network plays a significant role in facilitating socio-economic activities which are vital to employment creation, poverty alleviation and sustainable development," she said.

Mrs Kabanshi said improvement of urban roads on the Copperbelt would improve the transport network and provide efficient operations of mines and other industries.

She thanked the Japanese Government for the continued technical and financial support rendered to various sectors in Zambia.