Government has procured and handed over two vehicles to the Departments of Forestry and Physical Planning in Muchinga Province.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, in Chinsali District today, Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Tuesday Bwalya, urged the two departments along with others to guard against the abuse of government vehicles.
Dr Bwalya stated that the Provincial Administration will not tolerate the misuse of government vehicles by officers, emphasising the need for prudent utilisation.
He explained that the procurement of the two motor vehicles was done through their respective line Ministries and will help in the delivery of services to the people.
“Transportation is critical in service delivery,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary also noted the transportation challenges previously faced by the recipient departments, adding that these vehicles will promote the successful implementation of government programmes, projects, and policies.
Meanwhile, the recipient departments stated that the vehicles will significantly enhance service delivery.
Speaking during the donation, Provincial Planner in the Department of Physical Planning, Leah Mhango, said the procurement of this vehicle is timely.
“This has come at the right time. with the workload resulting from the recent expo, which led to more investors looking for land, this vehicle will reduce the challenges the department used to face in accessing sites,” she said.
Ms Mhango highlighted that the coming of the vehicle will make the department’s work much easier and more effective.
She added that the vehicles will help the department meet more targets than before.
Ms Mhango said the intervention is welcome, saying that the department has been hard-pressed for a long time.
And Forestry Department’s Conservative Forestry Officer, Oliver Hankombo, noted that his department is among those that are highly mobile and, therefore, require proper transport.
Mr Hankombo said the department was previously facing serious transport challenges, adding that the new vehicle will assist in coordination and revenue collection.
“This vehicle will help us to coordinate effectively and be able to collect revenue in line with the department’s mandate,” he said.
