Government says it has recorded notable progress across several sectors in Northern Province.
Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao notes that advancements, particularly in the road sector, were playing a critical role in driving the province’s overall development.
Mr, Mbao cited the progress made in the road sector to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He explained that all the local authorities in the province have taken advantage of the increased CDF allocation to procure earthmoving equipment, which he said has enabled councils work on feeder roads.
The media reports that the minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Beauty Undi-Phiri during the 4th quarter Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting in Kasama today.
Mr Mbao observed that the developments have helped to reduce post-harvest losses, lower transport costs, and enhance rural participation in the provincial economy.
Northern Province Minister has also cited the installation of an oxygen plant at Kasama General Hospital, construction of a micro-burn incinerator in Mbala, stabilisation of drug supplies, and installation of maternity annexes in Mbala, Kasama, Luwingu and Chilubi districts as other major achievementsthe province has scored.
“The construction an oxygen plant is one of major sucesses in the province, people used to travel long distances for oxygen, the upgrading of health facilities, supported by the recruitment of over 24,000 health workers nationally has helped the province too,” he said.
He added that the province has also increased access to education following the implementation of the free education policy.
“The province has increased enrolment by 122,441 learners between 2021 and 2025, representing a 33.3 percent rise. The province has also received 5,468 teachers since 2022, reducing the pupil-teacher ratio from 1:67 in 2021 to 1:21 in 2025,” he revealed.
He added that over 26,000 desks were also procured in 2025, while nine-day secondary schools are under construction with support from the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP).
The Minister said the province in the 2024/2025 farming season recorded a bumper maize harvest.
He revealed that the province managed to purchase over 323,000 metric tonnes of maize against a target of 199,100 metric tonnes.
He welcomed the reduction of ZESCO domestic electricity connection fees from over K4,000 to K300, describing it as a landmark, and people centred policy that will boost small businesses, rural households and youth entrepreneurship.
He has however, expressed concern over low voter registration in the province, which he said stood at 730,230 voters, representing eight percent of the national total.
“As we enter 2026, let us do so with courage, discipline and unity, let us remain accountable and united in driving development in Northern Province,” he said.
And Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu, who was represented by Northern Province Assistant Secretary Jordan Mwenya, called for strengthened coordination, accountability and partnerships to accelerate inclusive development.
Mr Mpundu explained that the PDCC remains an important forum for sharing progress on ongoing projects across sectors, introducing new initiatives aimed at accelerating development, and identifying opportunities for deeper collaboration among government departments, cooperating partners and community stakeholders.
“This platform allows us not only to share progress but also to harmonise our strategies, ensure accountability and reaffirm our shared commitment to delivering meaningful and sustainable outcomes for the people of our province,” Mr Mpundu said.
Mr Mpundu emphasized that sustained collaboration and a strong spirit of partnership were essential to driving tangible results that improve the wellbeing of communities across Northern Province.
