Chief Mutondo of the Nkoya people in Kaoma District has commended ongoing development works at Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlement.
Chief Mutondo says the improvements are enhancing livelihoods and keeping his chiefdom peaceful despite hosting thousands of refugees.
The traditional leader was speaking during a courtesy call on him by Permanent Secretary Resettlement in The Office of The Vice-President Mavis Nkomeshya and Western Province secretary Simomo Akapelwa.
The chief expressed appreciation to cooperating partners for their support, citing JICA, UNHCR, the Government of Zambia, and UNDP for their role in upgrading infrastructure.
Western Province Permanent Secretary Simomo Akapelwa told the Chief that the newly completed 25-kilometer road network will open up the resettlement area and improve accessibility for residents and service providers.
“Beyond the road network, JICA will also construct a day secondary school, a health facility, and three water reticulation systems,” Mr Akapelwa said.
The two permanent secretaries also paid courtesy on Mayukwayukwa area induna Mufaya who pledged to work closely with cooperating partners to maintain a conducive environment for development.
Induna Mufaya announced that he had surrendered part of his farm to provide gravel for the road construction at no cost as a community contribution.
The project, worth USD $1.3 million, was officially commissioned yesterday following the completion of road works.
More than 40,000 refugees are expected to benefit from the improved infrastructure.
Mayukwayukwa is one of Zambia’s oldest refugee settlements, hosting refugees primarily from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
