President Edgar Lungu has pledged to complete the stalled works at Masangano Boarding Secondary School in Masaiti district on the Copperbelt. President Lungu has expressed deep displeasure that the school whose construction works commenced in 2008, has not been completed to date.
The Head of state has since instructed Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba, whom he called on the phone after inspecting the unfinished structures, that he should find money to complete the school.
“The shame will be on us if we don’t do it. We need to do the labor-based model to finish this school and cut long distances our children here have been facing. We can’t blame the past governments, we will treat this matter as an urgent one,” a visibly annoyed President Lungu said.
And area Member of Parliament, Joseph Kabamba said the Ministry of General Education has been so supportive of the project after he engaged them.
“The Ministry released an initial funding of 500 Hundred Thousand Kwacha which has since been used to roof four teachers houses,” Mr Kabamba stated.
He added that the Ministry had further released an additional 800 Thousand Kwacha to expedite works on the project. Mr Kabamba expressed optimism that all things being equal, the school will be completed before the end of 2021.
“The people of Masaiti district have made several complaints on the project that has stalled. We promised them that we will complete the School,” he added.
Later, President Lungu held a meeting with Head Men of Chiwala Chiefdom whom he promised that he will ensure the Masangano -Mkushi road is worked on as soon as possible, as he knows the importance of the road to the farmers in the area.
“I came here to hear from you, because most times I hear from your minister and MP. I want to hear for myself what you need here,” President Lungu told the headmen.
And Copperbelt Province Minister, Japhen Mwakalombe thanked the President for being the first Head of State to have a meeting with village headmen in the area.
Meanwhile,
President Edgar Lungu has asked the Provincial health to expedite the procurement process of equipment to allow normal operations to start at Masaiti District Hospital.
The President said management should expedite the release of funds so that the hospital does not remain unused for a long time when people need the services.
The hospital whose construction started in 2015 has been built in three phases. The last phase is expected to be complete by December this year.
President Lungu who toured the hospital was informed the facility has not been fully operational due to lack of equipment which is supposed to be supplied in the last phase
“This risks to be white elephants if we do not push for funds to complete projects. We have leaders here who should push for the money and ensure procurement issues are followed up,” President Lungu said
And Provincial Health Director Robert Zulu informed the President that the hospital needs theater equipment and kitchen equipment for it to fully open to the public.
“We are partially open the maternity ward, out-patient department are operating and once equipment is installed by year end we will be able to provide all services,” he explained.
The President asked the Provincial Health office to give him a report on how far the procurement of equipment had gone.
Later President Lungu met three chiefs and assured them that government will work on feeder roads in the district which the traditional leaders had complained of as one of the challenges in the district.
Among the traditional leaders that met with the President include Chief Nkambo, Senior Chief Chiwala and Senior Chief Mushili representatives.
The President also said he will ask the minister of water development who is also Bwana Mkubwa MP to visit the area and conduct a survey to establish how many boreholes will be required in the district so that the problem can be resolved.
“I will engage ministry of water development to survey and tell us how many how boreholes can be done besides the Kafulafuta dam water supply improvement project which will cater the district,” the president said.
President Lungu also held a meetings with village head in Masaiti and with party officials in Mutaba area.
President Lungu is on the Copperbelt for a working visit.
Only a full stumbles the same stone twice. 2008?
Construction started in 2008 under the MMD but it was abandoned. Edgar Chagwa Lungu technical school in Petauke which started 6 or 7 years later was thought of, built, completed and handed over in an old district which has other secondary schools. Who can fail to see the blatant favouritism here? It’s one Zambia two nations.
I thought State House has s Projects Implementation fimo fimo? Is he sitting on his hands while his boss is traveling?
He is actively campaigning with no shame!
Ideally it shouldn’t take the President to call an officer and issue such instructions, instead of showing that he’s working it actually exposes very poor budget implementation. When Sata ordered the suspension of many school projects he accused Dora Siliya who was the Minister of Education under RB of having awarded contracts beyond the capacity of the Ministry to pay. He accused the MMD of having continued to receive kickbacks from those contracts even when they were out of power, so he decided to cancel most of them. I suspect this could be one of them. It’s not correct for Edgar to put pressure on Fredson Yamba to find the money if it hasn’t been provided for in the Budget. What it means is that Fredson will divert money from somewhere just to meet the Presidential directive and…
We can blame the MPs for not pushing and yet they are in Lusaka half the time. Look at the bad state of the road between Zambia Breweries and Senior compound in Ndola. It’s less than 2 kilometers long and surrounded by 6 beautiful roads leading to northrise, ADH, pamodzi, chipulukusu, minsundu farming block and Maria chimona. But this 2 kilometer streach is all potholes which cannot be avoided by motorists coming from the areas mentioned unless you opt to burn more fuel by taking longer routes. Can the Mp for this area kindly push for this road to be done before the rainy season. Twachula ukuchinja ama shocks nama ball joints, just for 2 kilometers.
My president is rectifying all the failures of mmd. Ah you are hardworking sir. This is why you will win again in 2021. You take development issues very seriously.
The same old story asking the empty treasury to look for money to complete construction of a school stalled 5 years ago. Last time Lungu visited the school said the same statements – Lungu’s vision.
When the Joker in chief speaks, it is always nonsense guaranteed.
This guy only wants to be president but he has no idea what it takes to do his job.
He has to be directed???
Zambians deserve such mediocre leaders! Democracy is a double edged Sword! If you know how to use it, it will serve you well and vice versa. Zambians need to go through the wilderness for another 40 years!
Zambians deserve such mediocre leaders! Democracy is a double edged Sword! If you know how to use it, it will serve you well and vice versa. Zambians need to go through the wilderness for another 40 years!!!
Yet another example of how a leader should be. He is aware of every issue, every problem we are facing. This step is bound to have long term impact on the future of children of this country.
Children are future of the country. They are future leaders, administrators, entrepreneurs, managers and lawmakers. What we do today for them will decide the fate of our nation. It is our duty to ensure that they everything when it comes to education. President Edgar C Lungu is taking right decisions that will shape the future of children and the nation.
Good education and health care infrastructure is need of the hour. Especially in the times of pandemic, we must be well equipped to fight the deadly virus. The decision to fast track procurement of medical equipments will help the medical staff to serve the people better.
This is clear campaign strategy, visit the bush this year and come next year,the school will be complete with well done roads,only an under five can not see this
Find money for this find money for that. Do you think these people produce money from thin air. Stop this type of campaign gimmicks people are tired now.
Ideally status on all projects should be given to the President by the relevant ministries through his advisers for projects implimentation unit .
Meantime Lusaka has no water supply since yesterday . Hope its not sabotage.
There is no money in the treasury sir, where do you expect them to find the money ?
Mansions in and around Lusaka are completed in no time because that is where the money has gone to .The secondary school has not been completed because there is no money .
This how dysfunctional governments operate , they have no clue of the work at hand ………
only stumbling on unfinished works and farting orders……
then the rats sing ” hard working…..”
If lungu lead a GRZ that was functional , a list of all unfinished projects would be at hand …..instead the man just heads out for photo opportunities to be seen to be working …
Pathetic….
How can we have an entire city of Lusaka without water supply because of a ZESCO related problem on the Kafue plant and no persons in both institutions are fired.
Government needs to seriously investigate gate this matter.
We hope this is not politicaly motivated.
Please Water is life.