Maravi

(TIMES) State works on mitigating flood effects

State works on mitigating flood effects
By Antony Mulowa

THE Government is devising strategies to mitigate the devastating effects of floods, Vice-President George Kunda has said. Mr Kunda said there was need to build capacity in the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which falls under his office. Mr Kunda who was addressing Mongu residents at Mongu Airport yesterday said the Government would strengthen the DMMU.

“Government realises that flooding is becoming a yearly occurrence. It is therefore necessary that we devise effective ways to fight floods,” he said.

The vice-president is in Western Province on an on the spot check of flood-hit districts.

He said the Government would soon put in place a legal framework to enable it respond to disasters effectively.

Mr Kunda assured the people that the Government would ensure that it looked into the welfare of the affected families and repair the damaged infrastructure.

“I know that we are devastated and the DMMU has moved in the province. Bridges and crops have been washed away,” he said.

Mr Kunda said in his entourage was Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Brian Chituwo whom he wanted to ensure that he assessed the situation to avert hunger as a result of the floods.

Mr Kunda said the Government would continue to take developmental projects to Western Province and that in this year’s national Budget, K259 billion had been allocated for various projects.

He said K125 billion had been allocated to the province for the rehabilitation of roads. The rehabilitation of roads and bridges, he said, was an important exercise as it would facilitate the movement of agricultural products.

Mr Kunda said five high schools would be constructed in Western Province this year.
He said health facilities were also receiving Government attention.

On agriculture, the vice-president said the province was well known for the cultivation of rice.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture was currently working on a project to improve the rice seed variety.

Mr Kunda said livestock and fisheries sectors were being looked into so that diseases could be eradicated.

On politics, he urged the people in the province to unite and strengthen the MMD.
He said for the party to be strong, there was need for discipline in all ranks.

He said it was Government policy for leaders to visit people in all areas so that they listened to their problems.

Mr Kunda said the Government would continue consulting traditional leaders on various national issues.

Mr Kunda said there was a lot of poverty in Zambia. He said that it was important that solutions were found instead of just politicking.

He said there was need to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) in rural areas, which would earn Zambia income and create jobs for the people.

The fight against corruption would continue and that the Government was determined to fight financial crime.

Mr Kunda said plunder of national resources would not be tolerated.

The Government would strengthen institutions like the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the police service which were spearheading the corruption fight.

He disclosed that the Government was in the process of creating a financial intelligence unit, which would help track down financial criminals. The idea would soon be presented to Cabinet.

The Government had made headways in oil exploration in Western and North -Western provinces and President Rupiah Banda would soon appoint a petroleum committee, Mr Kunda said.

Meanwhile, the vice-president called on the Litunga at his Limulunga palace in Mongu.

During the visit, Mr Kunda pledged Government support for the Kuomboka Ceremony which was a national event and tourism attraction.

Mr Kunda is on a three-day tour of the Western Province and is accompanied Community Development and Social Services Minister Michael Kaingu, Gender Minister Sarah Sayifwanda, Dr Chituwo, Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Lwipa Puma and Education Deputy Minister Clement Sinyinda.

Labels: FLOODS, GEORGE KUNDA

posted by MrK @ 6:02 PM