Government has allocated K127 billion for road infrastructure development for North western Province in this year’s budget.
Vice president George Kunda said part of this money would be spent on the Mutanda Chavuma (M8) road project which has now reached Mufumbwe district.
Mr. Kunda who is on a tour of North Western Province to among others, assessed flood situation in the province disclosed this when he addressed the public in Mufumbwe today.
He further said government also distributed earth moving equipment to all provinces for rehabilitation of feeder roads.
Mr Kunda said government will deliver hundred metric tones of relief food to Mufumbwe district to cushion people affected by floods this season.
The vice president who is accompanied by local government minister Benny Tetamashimba, Gender Minister Sarah Sayifwanda, MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande, Provincial minister Joseph Mulyata and Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Misheck Bonshe assured government’s continued support in mitigating effects of floods endured by some people in the province and other areas.
Meanwhile, Vice President George Kunda says there is need to attract foreign direct investment to Kabompo District.
Mr. Kunda said foreign direct investment is needed in Kabompo because the district has abundant natural resources.
The Vice President said this when he addressed several Kabompo residents at Kabompo freedom square grounds, today.
He stated that government was ready to commence oil exploration in Chavuma, Kabompo and surrounding areas which have shown signs of oil deposits.
Mr. Kunda said government’s oil exploration is in line with diversification programme which it has initiated to enable the country survive the global financial crisis.
He said also urged Kabompo residents to come up with innovative ideas and projects that can be funded under the Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF).
He added that government has in the 2009 national budget allocated K10 billion for various developmental project in each province around the country.
He said 40 percent of the K600 million Constituency Development Funds (CDF) will be targeted towards women and other vulnerable groups as a measure to empower households.
Mr. Kunda has however warned against misappropriation of public funds adding that the newly enacted Anti- Corruption Act has been formulated to curb graft.
He urged public workers to prudently look after public funds in order to successfully implement government’s developmental projects.
The Vice President has further urged the workers to support government to ensure that development trickles down to the grassroots.
And earlier, Gender and Development Minister, Sarah Salifwanda called on women in to unity in order to fight and poverty.
Ms. Salifwanda said the various measures taken by women are aimed at ensuring household food security because women are key in planning.
She has since urged women in North Western Province to form cooperatives in order to access the Citizen Economic Empowerment Funds.
ZANIS/WN/MKM/ENDS
Is it enough? Coz N/Western is the now the new copperbelt and that calls for more traffic.
even western province needs money for development… don’t be greedy you ma nyuku nykukus
Its same story pa Zedi, Govt this billion Kwacha to this and that, lelo na mailo. Verbal money, no tangible outcome from that billion Kwacha at all. Its usage not accountable for. song, song song…
There is need for this government to pursue an economic policy that aims to achieve balanced regional development in the country. The fact that huge copper deposits have been found in Northwestern province and large mines are being established there shouldn’t be justification for denying other needy provinces like Luapula and Western province any development. The government shouldn’t play a zero – sum game where one province takes all and the others get nothing. This approach, if perceived as favouring some provinces by those who feel neglected and disadvantaged, can breed disenchantment from other regions, leading to serious tensions in the country.
investment for social infrastructure should be the same in all provinces. Investment as an means to improving economic standing of the country is different and trying to balance this over the whole country does not make sense
Thank you very much for sharing this great information I read this complete article and happy to know that Vice president George Kunda is doing well and this will be very helpful for North western Province
Infrastructure Development in India