Maravi

Luapula changing for the better - Sata
By Godfrey Chikumbi in Mwansabombwe
Mon 29 July 2013, 14:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata says Luapula is now on its way to becoming a shining example of real development in Zambia as his government is providing necessary infrastructure. Meanwhile, Mwata Kazembe has appealed to President Sata to revitalise parastatals in Luapula Province.

In a speech read on his behalf by chiefs and traditional affairs minister Nkandu Luo during Umutomboko traditional ceremony of the Lunda people in Mwansabombwe district on Saturday, President Sata said through allocation of resources to strategic projects in Luapula, the province would become a shining example of real development in Zambia.

President Sata observed that lack of a proper road network in the province had cut the people off from markets for their produce as well as capital investment.

He noted that due to a poor road network, the people of Luapula had been unable to transform the abundant natural resources into improved living standards.

President Sata said Luapula was changing for the better due to various developmental projects that the government was currently undertaking.

"Time has come for all of us to bid farewell to the days when Luapula used to be a sleeping giant. Through careful allocation of resources to strategic projects, Luapula is on its way to becoming a shining example of real development in Zambia. Luapula is certainly a destination of all would-be local and foreign investors," President Sata said.

He explained that the entire road network in Luapula had been earmarked for rapid construction, pothole patching, edge repairs, road markings, road signs installation and construction of rumble strips.

"Luapula has a total road network of 4,073 kilometres. Today, I am proud to mention that the entire road network has been earmarked for rapid construction," President Sata said.

He said the government, under the Link Zambia 8000 road project, was constructing the Kawambwa-Mushota-Luwingu, Pedicle,

Kashikishi-Chiengi-Lunchinda-Kaputa and Chembe-Milenge roads.
Other roads are Kasanka-Mansa-Luwingu road, Kawambwa-Mporokoso road and the road linking Mununga, Kawambwa, Mwenda and Kashiba.

"As I speak, these road projects are underway and will uplift the face of the entire Luapula Province for many generations to come. Hundreds of jobs have already been created and hundreds more jobs will continue to be created as these major road projects unfold," he said.

President Sata also noted that the Luena sugar farm bloc, the Chishinga cattle breeding centre in Kawambwa and the palm oil production in Mwense were among many other development projects that government was undertaking in Luapula Province.

And Mwata Kazembe lamented that parastatal companies in Luapula had not benefitted the people as expected.

Mwata, who spoke through his spokesperson Criticles Mwansa, during Umutomboko appealed to the government to devise ways and means of revitalising parastatals which would help create employment.

He named Kawambwa Tea Company, the defunct Mununshi Banana Scheme and Mansa Batteries as some of the parastatals that needed government attention.

"I want to appeal to the government of the day to devise ways and means of revitalising these entities if we are to move in line with the desire to create jobs for the local people. We stand ready to provide all the support as the people," he said.

Meanwhile, Mwata Kazembe lamented that there was little progress in fully realising the development of Mwansabombwe following its declaration as a district by President Sata last year.

Labels: CHIEFS, LUAPULA PROVINCE, MICHAEL SATA, Mwata Kazembe, PF

posted by MrK @ 3:46 PM