Government has started working-out modalities aimed at turning Mbala airport in the Northern Province into an international airport.
Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Michael Kaingu, who confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, said the move would help to improve the growth of the tourism sector in the area.
Mr. Kaingu said his ministry has since started holding talks with various stakeholders in a bid to improve the tourism potential in the Northern and Luapula circuits respectively.
He explained that government’s objective has been to facilitate the growth of the tourism sector through the promotion of the Private Sector Participation.
Mr. Kaingu said this has been in the recognition of the sector’s potential to contribute to economic development through foreign exchange earnings, employment creation, income generation as well as the promotion of the rural development.
He also disclosed that rehabilitation works at Kasama Airport has reached an advanced stage adding that government through his ministry has started rehabilitating roads leading to tourism resort areas in the Northern and Luapula circuit.
Mr. Kaingu said that government through his ministry is pursuing a private sector driven tourism development in an effort to open up other new tourism resorts in the country.
He said government is working round the clock to improve tourism in the Northern and Luapula circuits, which he said is a germ of Zambia’s tourism.
The Tourism Minister further urged foreign investors to invest in the country’s tourism sector saying Zambia is a magnificent country boasting of one of the highest concentration of game in Africa, coupled with stunning scenery and rich and colorful cultural heritage.
He said despite the various tremendous comparative advantages that the country has, Zambia’s tourism potential was still largely unrealized.
Mr. Kaingu has since urged Zambians to take advantage of the tourism sector as it is one of Zambia’s leading area for generating growth in the country’s economy
He said Zambians must regard the country’s tourism as a major income earner for the country and establish it as a key source of employment.
ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS
Any better news. What about the ZAF base there? What are they going to do to it. Let them just build one International Airport in Kasama, this thing of just changing names is not good for infrastructure development. eg. Presidential Citizenship College to Mulungushi Univeristy, Zambia Institute of Technology (ZIT) to Copperbelt Universirty. and now from Samora Machel Air Force Base to Mbala International Airport. INTERESTING
#1. its the same one being refered to. learn to read between the lines. we do not have another another airport in mbala apart from the zaf. please avoid asking your fellow bloggers questions.
What I’m saying is that, let them justb build a new port. Because changing a base from Military to Civilian is not right. This issue of changing names gives a false notion that there is development, when actually there is non. I was just trying to provoke your thinking.
Good news atleast Zambians and tourist can easily access on romote areas!!!
#1. They almost changed Ndola central hospital to Mama mokola hospital instead of building a new one. Ala we are in problems with these recycled politicians.
Prof Mutengo Waminga LLB (UNZA) LLM, MA PHD (Oxford)this is an issue i feel you should professise about.why silent?simple chaps like No.2 have commented.wake up!!!!
Good idea. But do they understand what they are talking about? Yes it means they have to do the road net work.
But honestly, why would I go to Mbala?
This is nonesence,if they cant make something let them keep quite.They is noway they can bring that stupid idea on media.Just cuz of there folly we must loose internation recognition.
Good News this is what we need, well done GRZ.This will encourage more investors to come and trade on the mother Zed land.
Kaunda invested alot in places like Kasaba bay which where later neglected by Chiluba, maybe now they can be useful
The only sad thing is its politicians who make these decisions instead of leaving them to Architects, City Planers and Estate managers to advise Govt if such developments are feasible, Zambian Government spends billions to give out sponsorships to these Architects and Planners yet the country does not even make good use of their expertise, which is been enjoyed by Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
#1 & 3 ESK is very right.Changing names is not good enough.its clear that govt need to do better than just name change.in a country where you part away with about 30% of ur salary and the govt still fail to put up good infrastructures.They can’t even service local debt as we know that most pensioners have not been paid their monies.just where is our tax going?the all africa game i hear would leave in the debt of about $500m.when will they ever build a new thing from our money and not grants or debt?
Building a new airport when they cannot expand our delapidated Lusaka International airport cannot be a good idea but atleast the military base is being converted into an airport knowing very well that it has not seen any serious wars for the past recent years!!!despite that it was being missued when viable activities could not be done on time due to lack of an airport!!!
Guys those of you who have an oppotunity of travelling would agree with me that first we need to improve Lusaka International Airport. The airport is a shame even the so called VIP, how embrassing.
Just as i asked some time back-Are there any brand new infrastructure being belt in Zambia. All we hear about is “renovations” and “turning that into that”. If Zambia seriously wants to utilize and create jobs for its graduating Engineers and architecture it should come up with brand new infrastructures development ideas rather than recycled ideas.
ESK I totally agree with you, changing names is not a solution. I only hope our leaders understand the term “international airport.”
Am not so sure if our Lusaka International airport deserves that title?
International should go buy standards and services please!
The best thing to do is to have another airport. May some one educate me – is this air strip/port going to be used by our military jets and civilian planes at the same time?
#1 is very right. Lets GRZ build new infrastructured instead of renaming old institutions. Why put the international airport in Mbala which one of furthest northern towns in Zed. Why not put it in Kasama which is more central in the Northern Province so that other towns in the province can benefit from the same airport.
I also want to air my vioce on the increament of salaries for these useless Ministers who doesn’t have a heart for the zambia people they save in their offices, imagine almost three quarters of our people are laging poverty, unza is closed, our other civil servants are getting pernats. we need fair distribution of resources in our country. Am appearing to all loving Zambians to rise up and fight this injustice, this is unecceptable…
Our Lusaka International airport should have been an intercity bus terminus atleast those standards are okey.
Fuel prices up
THE Energy Regulation Board has increased the price of petroleum products in some cases by as much over K1,000 per litre.
In a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, ERB executive director, Silvester Hibajene, said the increase was with effect from midnight last night.
He said the increase has been necessitated mainly by high oil prices on the international market.
The new prices have seen the price of petrol going up from K8,355 to K9,458 per litre, diesel from K7,232 to K8,190 per litre and kerosene from K5,104 to K5,745 per litre.
No new infrastrutures just renovations!!!even 10 years from now we will still be renovating Independence stadium and Lusaka International airport!!!
Good idea,may be it can be quicker 2 visit mpulungu habour.Let alone some economic activity in that area.Germany tourists may even want to salvage some arms in lake chile.May b it should also be called Abeacon Airport,imagine if Livingstone Airport was changed to Mulobezi Airport.I tell you, there will be No tourists flocking to L/stone.They can all prefer to be in Vicfalls town.
Talk of Ndola int. airport, it has potholes all over the soroundings, The arrivals terminals haaaaaaaaaaaa you would wonder why its even called int airport. Please lets improve the standards to the existing ones then move to build or change names of other air ports.
I agree with you Wakumahetu . Our leaders don’t understand the term “international airport.” In Zambia, one goes to sleep and wakes up tomorrow dreaming of “international”. We hear of Lusaka international airport. but where is Lusaka domestic airport? Ist is the city airstrip? We hear of Mulugushi international conference centre. what other confernce centre do we have in lusaka apart from the hotel or lodge conference rooms? We hear of Ndola international airport. where is the domestic airport in Ndola? Now, it is is Mbala International Airport. Please, just call it Mbala airport.
iye ubufi aba bantu
What will be the benefit of charging the Air Force Airfield into an Airport, Does it mean we no longer need a Military Airport. Mbala is a good site for Air force Military training, It can be used for AU/ SADC/ or UN Peace keepers training. Having peace does not mean we should start privatizing our military installations. The next thing will here is selling of MILITARY COMMANDERS Houses in Arakan along independence avenue. or Senior police officers houses next to State house. Remember the Govt has already sold the Mayors palace and plot number 2 ( former official house reserved for OP Director General)
Residents were using the the runway for drying kapenta and cavasa. Do we have an alternative for them now?
And when will Lusaka ‘International’ Airport be made truly international. I mean when will the airport in the capital city conform to international standards? Internationalization does not just mean flying to foreign destinations, I think it must be a process that also conforms to international standards. I won’t go so far to give examples – look at OR Tambo in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town airports, those are international airports. The Lusaka international Airport cannot even be compared to largely domestic airports such as Polokwane,Port Elizabeth or East London airport. The governemnet is free to make Mbala an international airport, but must be of international standards.
I argued out of embarrassment one time with a white business friend of mine from South Africa some time back when he was telling me that at one of his visits to Zambia, in the K.K era, he was walked side by side with a goat at the presumably “Lusaka International Airport” which was boarding the same plane as him….
When was training last done in Mbala and by whom?
WORKING ON MODALITIES.IT WONT WORK,WE ARE HAVING ELECTIONS SOON.
….but then again he could have mistaken the goat for an ugly politician
I dont get it,whats wrong with these guys in GRZ,they always come up with new plans but when it comes to implementing, they fail,the re is plenty they have failed,Independence stadium,doug stadium the list is endless,just within LSK alot of unfinished buildings,just like at Arcades roundabout,freedom way and so many,why try to build a new airport we know they will leave it un finished,Sometimes the city looks like a war zone,let them finish those structures before they think of new ones
These new airports are for the tourists who can not use our 1 lane inter city highways. Build them airports and we the common man can continue suffering using potholed one lane highways.
Infact it is the touarist marketing companies in SA pushing for these airports, meaning the tourists fly stight to SA then zambia with Zambia losing out on a lucrative loop.
Quite correct you cannot be building new things when old ones are not habitable or are need of serious repairs and restorations!!!
You should have told him that we a major exporter of goats
#35, You are talking,a Zedian will die without taking a ride on a smooth road or smooth airport tarmak,its for corporations in JHB and the rich who will benefit but the money that will build it will come from the poor Zedian,shame,shame
To our Leaders [Graet effort and courage are not enough with out Purpose and Direction.
@ Intelligence Officer…..#35,
We need to ugrade these airports,tourism is not just about L/stone,
economically i think roads are much deerer to build,i mean from scratch and maintaing them,
air travel is the way forwad,not only is it quicker but it’s getting cheaper too,
these can also be handy for local tourism,as our middle class population continues grow people will have western tastes,
after all how many Zambians have been to the Vic falls,game parks,or even seen a live elephant very few,
imagine me trying to get to Kasaba bay or Mfuwe with my foreign girlfriend,
we need them as locals too
wena #21(Kashimbi), tell those chaps at ERB to reduce the price of Fuel. Crude oil hit a record high of USD 145 per barrel three weeks ago but it has since dropped to as low as USD114 per barrel. This ‘small’ conflict between Russia and Georgia over the breakaway province of South Ossetia forced the price to USD116.36 per barrel. The two parties are already talking and the situation should normalise……
am looking forward to a Leader that will inspire me, that will say no to self, no to unnecessary spending the one who will be willing to go through what his people are going through, the one who is ready to stand up against injustice. The one who is willing to be ready to say if there is nothing to die for then there is nothing to live for.
The one whom i can even meet waiting for his wife (1st lady) in labour ward at UTH.
God give me a leader!!!
Work on Lusaka Airport imwee ba stupid. In Zambia we have no International Airport. Lusaka by far to be called international Airport.
#1 you are right…these selfish politicans are doing it again. Everyday they are feeding us with plans which they will never achieve. Honestly we are sick and tired of such stories, what we need are deeds and not WORDS!!!!
#16..Lusaka International Airport doesn’t deserve the title.Politicans including former Presidents should be ashamed of themselves for not improving it while they were in power.Even LPM is also one of them, they travel too much and yet they cannot do anything to improve infrastuctions of their country. SHAME ON THEM!!!
I worked for ZNBC and we wrote such stories from ministers and believe me nothing ever happened. The idea is very good, but in actual sense it’s not feasible.
Lusaka international airport which is supposed to be the pride of our nation is very dilapidated. The minister should first consider improving the stands in lusaka b4 he can think of transforming an airstrip based in the middle of nowhere into an international airport.
These people need to start thinking critically. Ndola airport does not also live up to the stands, therefore, why start working on a new project when there are others that need to be worked on. Think Minister
Sorry I meant infrastructures…..
Livingstone road is in a very poor condition especially from ZIMBA to LIVINSTONE. You will find villagers standing by the road and putting some stones in the holes in exchange for cash.I’m not sure if anything has been done to improve the road.All politicians should be ashamed of themselves as they have failed to achieve anything. Their aim is to get huge salaries and give us zero in return. I wish someone could read what we write on this blog, I’m sure changes could start.Most of the times we raise points, unfortunately we will never see any action taken..
Bane be serious give credit to Minister Kaingu,an international airport in Mbala is a plus to Zambians travelin to northern especially that Govt just granted Rubex construction a contract to do a road from kas to mpulungu vis vie Mbala.
Go Kaingu Go, shame the doubting Thomases.
Mr Minister, well done that it will be an airport of internation standards, I hope that is what you mean, just finish the Kasama airport, work on the Kasama-Mbala road and flights can terminate in Kasama and as a tourist, I would rather be on the ground and on my way to Kalambo falls than see it from the air. That way even your adventure companies will have business. This thing of copyism is killing us in Africa, and since you want to venture into air transport Mr Minister what are you doing at the ever increasing jet fuel prices?
Please leave Military infrastructure alone. even in the name of a peaceful nation are you sure we are safe with the instability in the great lakes region.
Moreover, where are you taking those men in uniform to. Already there is no accomodation in the existing bases to match their numbers
Think Kaingu, Think.
Ask the Public Private Partnership Guys to assist you. They would run the airport better than National Airports Corporation
#47 I am told a contract has been awarded to CGC to work on the roadm when I was there in Februarym they had already mobilised, I share your concern, Livingstone 480km from Lusaka should take someone 8 hours to get there and the last 5 hours is spent navigating a 70km stretch from Zimba.
Better infrastructure is needed at our Solwezi airport. Possibly develop an international airport in the district. with the current copper, gold, urenium mining and possibly future oil and gas from the province these economic activities can sustain activities at the new airport. We should however not forget a good road and rail network
Whilst its unanimously agreed that we to upgrade all our airports to acceptable international standards, there’s no harm in starting with Mbala because there is an economic reason attached to it. That of opening up the Northern-Luapula tourism circuit which has alot of potential. That’s the way I see it.
Guys,in Zambia. We are not serious, I mean don’t our leaders see when they go to other countries? You don’t need a lot of money to do some of these things. By the way, why not just use money from airport taxes? Look at the sign posts are borders saying welcome to Zambia!!! Old. The border posts, airports give the first impression about a country. In Namibia even, small airports are well run with car hire facilities etc.
#42 that leader is Mwanawasa only difference is you will meet him in Paris
it seems every single blog on this site is infested with prophets of doom who have nothing good to say. i think its a step forward rather than backwards if u ask me. but who am i anyway.
am pertubed by people who say Lusaka int airport is not up to standard. the chaps who make these observations have not been anywhere else apart from going to attend traditional ceremonies at their villages. the word international means the getway is accessible to outsiders and does not relate to the nature or state of the building. those of you chaps who have a contrary view should break it down for us on what basic requirements an international airport should have and relate this to the exisiting facilities at our beautiful airport. ive travelled to mumbai airport where you have dogs scavenging in the arrival and departure halls. stop comparing what you have seen in the movies to reality.
International Airport,thats good!it means this will be the first international airport in Zed.The so called Lusaka inter’ airport is nothing to write home about,let alone the Livingstone and Ndola airport. GRZ needs to be serious about infrustrature development.This is the 21st century & not colonial times for crying out loud.I was in Livingstone last week & man is that so called tourist capital pathetic!The place looks like some village,apart from the little new mall & few new hotel/loudges springing up.Come on guys lets not just award ourselves huge salaries but sacrifice to develop our beloved Zambia!!!
At my village is connected to the whole world, we can supply beans in abundance!
Pa Zambia it is difficult to comprehend what the really problem is. That Zimba L/stone road is hell to drive on. I was in Zed last month and my friends were busy preaching that I go back to Zed coz the economy has improved. The only growth I witnessed was the ever increasing second hand Japanese vehicles and people building houses in areas with no roads, water,and sewer systems. Lets keep on praying.
Kaingu is doing his job well by opening up the northen part of Zambia to tourism and national development. The area has too much potential and it could do with a few more airports (Kasama, Mfuwe, Mansa, Mbala, Luwingu, Mwansabombwe, Samfya) etc). We need an airport in each district in Zambia then we can have more in each town, that is development. Air travel should be like jumping on a bus, easy. We also need road, rail and water transport infrastructure for the country to move ahead and stay on top. Zambia is a country that needs good infrastructure to move forward and compete on an international level. Gov’t must invest mining profits into infrastructure.
#55 yes that leader is mwanawasa he said NO to corruption,NO to
GMO foods ex America,NO to Arms ship ex China to dock on any SADC country,and of course NO to huge salary adjustment 4 Miniters who have now stoped making nose on the achived single digit inflation.
#62 THIS TIME I HAVE TO SAY NO TO AIRPORTS IN RURAL PLACES
University of Zambia was almost changed to Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula University.
We are really good at changing names but remain the same old stupid self.
e.g. Vera Tembo Chiluba wamutalika?
Regina Mwanza Chiluba, etc, etc
#47. Njovu Kazi
As I always say, very soon they will CUT and PASTE Victoria Falls to Mbala. Evidence is the road to L/stone. It is in bad shape.
#1 opened up a pandora box for a bunch of ignorant people on Internatiomal airports, Mbala Airport and other isues related to Military airports. For the sake of Knowledge, Mbala had a civilian terminal building which was used for civilian purposes. Unfortunately it was vandalised. Lusaka international Airport has also a military side. So there is nothing strange about the idea by Kaingu. Thanks #57 for your maturity. I can see that the current crop of leaders are far much better than most of these bloggers. Nbala ZAF base will remain intact. By the way, there is absolutely no Air training in Mbala
pliz be serious people.you even pay a minister for misleading you.shame!(1)you can not even finish renovating the independence stadium /rebuilding the dag’ despite the so many fundraising dinners.improve livingstone to atleast bigfalls level.improve the ndola airport.(2)where are our experts to comment on developmental issues-do they exists? otherwise it will just be another Zed song.twanaka nomba mwe!
may God no waste time to punish these guys for cheating day and night. In 15 months time you will be going round the country cheating people and you will repeat this same lie when you go to northern and luapula provinces ba kabwalala imwe. Just enjoy you storen money before ba mwine tabalaisa.
International Airport my ass, bakapuli could not even repair the building society house which was gutted by fire a decade ago as well as the state insurance building along freedom avenue which has been standing since 1991 when super Ken made a mistake of handing over power to the hyenas,monkeys and jackals.
It’s like building a modern stadium in shang’ombo. Who is going to fly into mbala, for what. This is misplaced ambitions.
As usual, 70. Anonymous comes out with both guns blazing – with blanks!! I do not know which part of Zambia you come from or where you have been; but Mbala (and I don’t come from there, for your information) has more tourist spots than Lusaka or any town on the CB! If you think tourism is just about looking at elephants and buffalo, you are in the wrong time zone, dude!
#71, spot-on.
The whole point is development doesn’t always have to stem from the capital city outwards. I’m not an expert on this but know for sure that infrastructure like an international airport in rural Zambia is a good start.
Bo Kaingu, MP, my advise to you is to build what will be called Lusaka International Airport because the current one does not qualify to be an international airport. Secondly, i would like to put it to you Mr Minister that after you have built a new international airport, you look into establishing our own home grown Airline, otherwise you will be refurbishing the Mbala Airport for South Africa Airways and other carriers.
#51 I was in Livingstone in May,,it was worse than a village dust road.I hope they will start working on it ASAP.
#65..you are right they never get tired of cutting and pasting.Its time Politicians start giving us back what belongs to us. They have to work and not just sit and talk about plans that they will never achieve.
What is in Mbala Kanshi?
Dont you think it would be better to channel the monies to upgrading our medical facilities…..Lets be serious with our priorities…
Conman, We are very patrotic Zambians. But we have to point out what is wrong, have you compared Zambian border posts to say Namibian and Botswana? Its not money but foresight. Even stadiums same thing. The Lusaka International Airport is in a bad state with bad smells. Just because Mumbai is as bad does not make Lusaka Int better.
We must move with the time. If this project will be viable then lets move with it. But please work on that Ndola international airport which is made of tins.I think we have leaders without standard. You guys must make us proud of our country by building world class facilities. Look at Lusaka Inter-airport it is an embarassment.Don’t just increase your salaries but give us good facilities like schools,hospital with doctors and the right equipment for strokes,cancer etc.
I think we must be blamed attimes because we vote in failures who will not bring us the right development at the right time. look at the livingstone tourism roads.its like the government has been sleeping for a century.
#71 The size of an Airport is dependant on estimated volume of traffic. To Provide an International Airport at Mbala is like trying to grow grapes and bananas in the middle of Kalahari desert. It is possible to do that in fantancy dream land you know.
Lusaka International Airport needs a refurbishment and upgrading relative to the times and estimated volumes of traffic.
It does not need to be a Heathrow at this stage because we have yet to have that amount of traffic due to our state of economy.
Before you think of owning FINDECO house, build yourself a house.
You as an individual can not afford to maintain Findeco Blding assuming you are Zambian. Meaning that you are no billionare at least yet. Am I making some sence?
If you manage to attract one or two aircraft routes from India at Mbala Airport, does that make it an International Airport. Yes and No is the answer. Develop the infrasture in Mbala to make it viable.
You cant start with an International Airport when there is no supporting business environment.
livingstone is being attended to, chipata(mfuwe) is also doing relatively well. Refurbishment and upgrading to meet International stardards is what is required.
It extreme cases of hunger(food deprived) you could dream that you are eating some kind of food. The fantancy is immediately busted when you wake up literally.
i used to think our international airport was pathetic until i touched down at Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar. i reframed my thinking. what hurt me most is that an airport named after one of my favourite poets should be so dirty with hawkers waiting right outside the arrival lounge. not only that, when you arrive you are received by armed security. it was probably a one time thing but it was quite intimidating
the best thing to do is to encourge tourism .i dont see any sense of making an international air port in mbala if at all 95% of the tourist go to the victoria falls and kafue national park .it will be far much better if at a the little resources for mbala air port my be pushed in to the up grading of livingstone air port.
BTW I would rather be at Mfuwe Airport (fresh Air) than at Heathrow (Polluted Air),
I would rather swim in Zambezi river (very fresh) than the rhine (over polluted.
I would rather stay at my my village than stay in the acid rain of london.
People, why are comparing LSK Airport to bad ones who have seen? That is not the point, the point is we need to fix it, we are not saying its is the only one which is not good in the world, its like saying UNZA is not bad, because you have seen worst universies.
How many of of the good international airports in the world which fit the description of the word international are called international? You chaps like to call everything international when you can’t even show what is international about your international. wake up, clean and re-develop your existing airports to international standards and build domestic airports before you start calling your airports as international. Your lusaka airport is not fit to be called international airport. Come to bankok and see what an international airport is supposed to be
#86
You have exposed your ignorance.
What does the word international mean to you with regards to an Airport?
Go to zambiatourism dotcom and check out what kaingu really wants for zed. Stop being ignorant about your own country and thinking tourism is only in national parks.
How about rehabilitating Lusaka International Airport!
This is cut and paste for the ignorant blogers on the issue
Before independence Mbala was known as Abercorn and played an important role during the First World War in the then Northern Rhodesia. It was strategically important due to its proximity to the German East Africa border (now Tanzania) and was also the place where German forces surrendered their control of East Africa.
If you’re passing through on the Great North Road between Kasama and Mpulungu, don’t miss the Moto Moto Museum. It is situated 4kms beyond Mbala and holds an impressive and well-displayed range of cultural artefacts from the tribes of the Northern Province. There are archaeological finds…
# 57 conman stop being an idot. Lusaka international air port is like a train station. How can you say the infrastructure dosent matter. You are a fool.
iWE ka KAINGU dont forget us in Shagombo we need an international airport too ala! sha!
shushushu how are you my friend. i missed you a lot on this blog.
whats wrong with us.why not start by upgrading livingstone which is an embarassment if you compare it to bigfalls town in Zim? livingstone brings money but look at it,sorry! why should some of you even praise this song about mbala.are you really normal?
# 93. Conman have stoped smoking.
yes 93. i usually smoke during weekends. now am super sober my good friend.
sori 95
for what?who will be going to that poor province?its a waste of govt resources pipo!!
And what about Kabwe, Ndola, Kitwe and of course Livingstone. One would think, honestly that this is where they would direct their focus. What is in Mbala, no offense? Can someone tell me or us. Any returns on that international airport once completed and situated in Mbala?
If you have no strategic plan or are not thinking strategically, it would be best to put the funds aside until other strategic plans are developed, perhaps towards, education and health… Twapapata please ba government.
Many have commented on the semantics of an ‘International’ airport. The airport services flights to and from international destinations and therefore is called ‘international’ as opposed to Solwezi airport [strip?] which services domestic flights.
Those advocating a facelift of Lusaka International, what would you like to be done? I think it is decent place, considering the volumes of people that pass through it. Do we really need dozens of reatil stores operating at loss? Do we need more parking? Are you not happy with the exterior? Interior? Service delivery?
LSK International is clean, secure, friendly, old-fashioned and small. When I fly to Jo’burg every semester I check-in hassle free, pass through immigration in no time, have a Coke upstairs, buy duty-free cigarettes, relax and watch planes on the runway in the departure lounge or latest sport on DSTv. No problem.
Return: Jump off plane, go through immigration, collect my bags, pass customs and jump in a car, pay K5,000 parking, and head to Chudleigh. No problem!!!
My only problem could be between the second security check point and the boarding gates where ther is not enough seating. Guys, we are one of the world’s poorest countries, let’s live within our means!
#99 in mbala you can find kalambo falls (on of the world deepest water fall, lake tanganika which is much better than lake kariba, nsumbu national park, nice mountains for climbing and its where you can get to the nation`s highest altitude at nsunsu mountain, moto moto mesium, etc. my freind even livingstone was just a bush at some point but because development was taken there its now better and the same thing can happen to mbala. see beyond you noise bakapala.anyway you are not the only dull ones i have see other fools also.
What is international standard anyway?
The phrase ‘International standard’ is merely another powerful tool used by the average ‘two-years-in-diasopra’ Zambian to disparage his home-land and further wallow in his pessismistic and fault-finding mindset and destroy any pride in Mother Zambia.
As I have always advocated now and in my days blogging as Nkandu Kataya JHB, we need to have a look seriously at our attitudes in order to bring development. And realise too that development won’t happen overnight and come to terms with our historical socio-economic handicaps. Please be positve and patient!
#103 if this country had even 10 people who reason like you zambia was going to develop. read most of the coments. chaps are *****s for sure. keep it up my brother and don`t loose you wise vision.
#103 pliz there is no excuse for not up lifting standards in livingstone.its not fault-finding when some of us talk about it nor having a negative attitude.we love our country just like you do.particularly livingstone,how long do you think we can wait? am sure you dont know that alot of people in the world are not aware that we share the victoria falls.indeed,everyone is for that mbala idea but alot are doubting coz we have failed obvious projects.nowadays the song is just about renovations with poor materials,like the independence stadium issue.why not build new ones? lastly the overnight happening is out coz certain things i used to hear them when i was a baby but upto now,nothing.
#104 Thanks. Much appreciated
#105 Mary.
Sometimes if you want something done it’s best to do it yourself! Why don’t me and you Mary make our money, form a company and win the tender to renovate airports and stadia? I’ll have an engineering degree in 3 years, you can use your stunning looks and qualifications and together we can make money and develop our country …win-win!
What have you personally done to market Zambia? Shout from the virtual rooftops: MySpace, Facebook Hi5 etc, that Vic Falls is in Zambia!
Not lyonse ukulolela fye ubuteko. Gov’ts provide policies and framework, the ingenuity and determination of the populace shall make Zambia prosper.
Ba #102, when we ask questions, it doesn’t mean that one’s dull. That is how you will know or get to the bottom of the issue. That is how you develop your reasoning capabilities. International wasn’t the word to use but use such words as develop it and bring it to a standard that can continue to lure in more tourists. I hope you are doing something worthwhile in your life as you contribute to such blogs.
I’m very well educated by the way and have gone back to Zambia each year since I left in ’98. Lusaka doesn’t even come close to international standards and you are talking about Mbala where only 5% of Zambians will ever go or a few will ever visit perhaps because they are tourists.
yes indeed ba Kaingu should not have used the word ‘international’ to report on what the govt will do to Mbala airport, Sir, you are losing us. While we can afford to go and develop Mbala airport into an ‘international’ landing experience, let us not forget Lusaka International Airport. That airport needs a serious makeover.
The main roads in Lusaka (palya pa Kafue Roundabout and Kabwe Roundabout) need major overhaul and also need to decongest traffic. We need also to look into our main bus terminal for all buses leaving Lusaka for other towns or provinces. That Lusaka InterCity is a disastor…….
and then you come to the market in Soweto (ati ku Soweto market). It is a disastor waiting to happen. Where is everyone in government? What is going on? Is anyone looking and paying attention?
elyo when you look over from the fly over bridge (Kafue Roundabout) ati ku Kamwala, all those people selling sitting on the raillines and on the wayside.
Are we ever going to hear that the govt is developing anything in Provinces like western province,i wonder!!!!!
WESTERN PROVINCE IS THE DARFUR OF ZAMBIA.
NUMBER ONE IN UNDER DEVELOPMENT
NUMBER LAST ON GOVT PRIORITY
MOST NEGLECTED FROM THE TIME OF KAUNDA,CHILUBA..WORSE TILL NOW( NEW DEAL GOVT).
IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY GOVT TO TAKE DEVELOPMENT TO THE PEOPLE .
IT IS EQUALLY ITS DUTY TO DENY CERTAIN REGIONS DEVELOPMENT AS CAN BE SEEN IN WESTERN PROVINCE.
THIS TREND IS DONE DELIBERATELY IN ALMOST ALL AFRICAN COUNTRIES.
I dont understand this all fuss. Government is working. Infact the airport is already in place all what this will mean will be to open it up to civilian as well. Maybe some work on the
terminal building. The run way at Mbala is longer than even Ndola.
Northern Zambia has alot of tourism potential and time to tap that is today. Business at Mpulungu will also go up.
Keep it up. Take development everywhere
Ya develop the Western Province when it wants to secede from Zambia and is claiming money from royalties from copper not in the province but from the CB?
Lusaka looks congested due to poor planning. Demolish all those structures in chibolya , simson and the soweto market. We dont need markets in town. Let every compound/ township have its own market and you will reduce unnecessary traffic in town by at least 30%. We need order in town.