Government has procured equipment worth US$40 million from China for the rehabilitation and construction of roads in the country.
Vice President Rupiah Banda said government attaches great importance to the good
road infrastructure hence the move to procure the equipment.
Mr. Banda said the equipment which is already being shipped to Zambia would benefit
all provinces in the country.
He disclosed that government would engage more contractors to work on roads in the
country other than relying on the available few.
He said this today on arrival at Samora Mashel Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Airbase in Mbala.
Mr. Banda told the gathering that it was government’s duty to provide for its people
saying the new deal administration’s good economic policies will enhance development
in the country.
He explained that more money would be allocated for developmental projects in next
year’s budget than what is in this year’s budget due to the economic growth the
country has experienced.
And the Vice President said there was no need to waste time responding to petty
issues raised by small groups over the constitution making process.
Mr. Banda wondered why some non-governmental organisations and some sections of
society still wanted to draw the constitution making process back when President
Mwanawasa has agreed to all their suggestions.
He said already, over K2 billion has been spent on the constitution making process
and that government will go ahead with the National Constitution Conference (NCC)
which he said is well represented.
He pointed out that this was not the time to talk about issues that were straight
forward at the expense of providing what the Zambian people needed.
Mr. Banda implored members of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy in
Northern Province to unite and work hard to develop the province while explaining
the good developmental activities the government has done.
And Northern Province Minister, Lameck Chibombamilimo disclosed that the province
has received K12 billion from government for developmental projects this year.
Mr. Chibombamilimo said the remaining K2 billion is yet to be received saying this
is the first time the province has received such an amount of money from government.
He also requested government to turn Samora Marshel ZAF Airbase into an
international Airport that would steer tourism in the province.
He said this will benefit Zambia and the neighbouring countries such as Tanzania.
He further called on government to upgrade some colleges, such as Lukasha Trades
Training Institute, into universities.
Meanwhile, Mbala Member of Parliament Guston Sichilima said the Northern Province
supports government’s stance on the constitution making process.
Mr. Sichilima urged government to forge ahead with its roadmap and ignore those
withdrawing from the programme on petty grounds.
The vice President, who is touring developmental projects in the province, is
accompanied by Community Development and Social Services Minister Catherine
Namugala, Mbala MP, Gustone Sichilima, MMD Eastern Province Vice Chairman Francis Kamanga, MMD National Organising Secretary Frank Bowa and North-Western province chairlady, Alice Lukanga.
He was met on arrival at the airbase by Mr. Chibombamilimo and senior government and party officials.
