Kalumbila District Commissioner, Brenda Sankisa, has praised the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for funding the construction of a 10.8-kilometre feeder road in Meheba Refugee Settlement.
Speaking during a monitoring visit to the site, Ms Sankisa said the new road, connecting Blocks G, H, and D, including the refugee settlement, will significantly improve access to markets and essential services for residents.
She praised the Zambia National Service (ZNS) for the quality of work and noted that the road has been completed and is awaiting commissioning.
“We are very happy with the quality of works that have been done on this feeder road. This project will greatly improve accessibility for our people here in Meheba. We are appealing for more support towards rehabilitating other roads that are still in a deplorable state so that development can reach all parts of the district,” she said.
Principal Resettlement Officer Paul Chisanga highlighted that the road will ease transportation challenges and enhance service delivery within the settlement.
He said the original plan covered a 30-kilometre stretch, while financial constraints limited construction to the 10.8-kilometre section.
“This stretch was particularly difficult for people trying to move from one block to another. The ZNS was contracted to complete this 10.8-kilometre section, meaning four settlement blocks, including the refugee area, are now connected,” he said.
Mr Chisanga emphasised that the improved road will facilitate easier movement for farmers, children attending school and patients accessing clinics.
He noted that the work began in October last year and was completed in December taking approximately three months.
North-western Region Road Development Agency (RDA) Engineer Contracts Chikosa Musonda said efforts were underway to source funds to complete the remaining sections of the road.
Meanwhile, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Meheba Refugee Settlement Field Officer Mofya Kaputa noted that the road will boost economic activity by allowing farmers to transport produce to markets more easily and at a lower cost, enhance food security and economic resilience among families in Meheba.
Ms Kaputa said the newly constructed feeder road marked a significant step in improving infrastructure and promoting development for both host communities and refugees in the settlement.
