Friday, March 29, 2024

Government hands over houses to displaced Musonda residents in Kitwe

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FILE: Yamfya Mukanga-President Sata-Philip Kosamu
FILE: Works and Supply Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga with President Michael Sata

Government has handed over 57 houses for the people of Musonda Township in Kitwe, who have been displaced from their homes to pave way for the construction of Mufuchani Bridge across Kafue River.

ZANIS in Kitwe reports that Works and Supply Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga, handed over the houses and two churches to the beneficiaries in Kitwe yesterday.

The houses have been built at a cost of K17 million with funding from the World Bank.

The completion of the houses gives way to the commencement of the construction of the bridge earmarked to begin by April, this year.

And speaking during the handover ceremony, Mr Mukanga said the ultimate construction of the Mufuchani Bridge will alleviate the suffering of the residents of Mufuchani and Ipusukilo Townships who cross the river every day.

The minister also noted that the construction of the bridge will give the people of Mufuchani access to health facilities, schools and markets to which access is currently limited.

He further noted that the bridge will enhance the socio-economic status of Kitwe as the city plans to expand its commercial activities as well as settlements in Mufuchani across Kafue River.

Mr Mukanga appealed to the beneficiaries of the new houses not to sell the houses but guard them as a rare gift from God.

He also warned that government will follow up members of the public who might want to buy these houses from the beneficiaries.

Speaking earlier, Kitwe Mayor, Chileshe Bweupe, said the construction of the bridge demonstrates the PF government’s commitment to improving the people’s living standards and improving infrastructural development by implementing the Mufuchani Bridge project which the past governments failed to deliver despite promising to do so.

Mr Chileshe said the construction of the bridge will allow for the extension of the city of Kitwe thereby decongesting the Central Business Dsitrict.

And Kwacha Member of Parliament, Boniface Mutale, said the construction of the long awaited Mufuchani Bridge will reduce the loss of lives resulting from capsizing canoes as people tried to cross the river.

Mr Mutale lamented that several lives have been lost as people tried to cross the river in their quest to accesses medical facilities, schools and other social amenities on the other side of the river.

24 COMMENTS

  1. That is good development, that is the news that I want to hear not Kabimba and GBM issues! Basically this what what govt should have been doing constructing shelters for the people and insuring that people have decent accommodations across the country. I wish that Sata could stop those construction of stadiums and embark on the construction of decent houses for the people of Zambia. It is really sad to see people still living in ramshackle houses in this era and govt is focused on trivial issues!

    • Bonnie our MP…… you have finally brought development to this area. This what MPs are supposed to do. I look for a day when I will go to NDOLA or MUFURILA using the brigde. Welldone Bonnie!!!!

    • The best approach should have been compensating the people, set up a mechanism that would help them build houses of their choice, not building houses for them. This vestige of paternalistic colonial tendencies need to be stopped. The country is well governed when the people are empowered to make their own decisions. May come at a cost but it is a cost well incurred!

  2. Some developmental news ohhhhh, nice work.Could GRZ also Consider reviewing the boundaries of Kitwe City, coz just 5 kilos from the bridge(just after CEC Pillons), you enter Mufurila Land., after maposa ati Ni mu Luanshya, Kalulushi on the other side, no more land in Kitwe. I think for the City that it is Kitwe needs more Land for expansion especially that it links all CB Towns. Its no longer just a mining settlement as initially set up.
    Now K17 million ie K298,245.614 on average per house!!!!!! Ummmmmmmm. i have seen the houses, ACC please move in and investigate, the quality and size of house built do not agree with the cost.

    • MY FRIEND THIS IS JOURNALISM IN ZAMBIA. REPORTING IS SO STUP1D IT LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. IN THIS DAY AND AGE SURELY HOW CAN THERE NOT BE A PICTURE OF THE HOUSES. ITS SO FRUSTRATING TO READ ZAMBIAN NEWSPAPERS WHETHER ELECTRONIC OR CONVENTIONAL. EVERYONE EXPECTS A PICTURE AS A STANDARD.

  3. This is what Sata posted on his new page…even simple houses you have to go to the devil (World Bank) and sell your soul. JUST unaccounted expenditure and waste from the Auditor General’s could pay for these homes 10 times over.

  4. In 1980 a ferry carrying people across the Kafue River at Mufuchani capsized and killed scores of people. Then Copperbelt Minister Mr. Shapi promised to build a bridge across the Kafue and a new account was opened where hundreds of people donated money for that project. Today, 34 years later the bridge is still a white elephant. Poor administration by Kitwe City Council over the years have also led to this failure (Mr. Simwinga then and possibly the new people after him). Kitwe badly planned by colonialists cannot be re-planned by the odd city council! The slimes dam behind Mutondo Offices and the Barracks must be re-mined and the land be used to expand the city with infrastructure. The eyesore former Astra Cinema (22 years) in the town center should be addressed!

  5. The new bridge at Mufuchani should be dual and a good planning a long time ago could have helped Kitwe to expand beyond Riverside. Hopefully, this is a serious plan by the PF government to change the face of Kitwe and decongest the town center.

  6. Kitwe the Hub of the Copperbelt. Pa Bulazi, Kapoto-Half London,
    Na Kadoli, Miseshi Wusakile/Mindolo, pa Car Wash , Amigos etc.

    Awe Kitwe nie ziii

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