GOVERNMENT is committed to upgrading major roads in the country, Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Christopher Yaluma has said.

Mr Yaluma said in an interview that Government had prioritised road rehabilitation as this was an essential component in fostering the country's economic development.

"Government has prioritised road development because roads play an essential role in economic development," he said.

Mr Yaluma said improving the road network would also help the country harness cross-border trade which was another contributing factor to economic development.

He observed that there was need for Zambia to be interlinked with neighbouring countries.

Mr Yaluma said Government was on track with phase one of the Link Zambia-8000 road project.

He said Government had entrusted the Road Development Agency (RDA) with the procurement of the right services that would ensure the project was completed on time.

Apart from the Link Zambia 8000, the Government has outlined the Pave Zambia 2000 road rehabilitation project.

The KR 27 billion (K 27 trillion) Link Zambia-8000 road project is expected to create 12,850 jobs and a further 8,000 employment opportunities are expected to be realised from the KR 150 million (K 150 billion) pave Zambia 2000 road project.