Government has commissioned a 25-kilometre access road and a 100-metre footbridge under the Development of Basic Infrastructure (DBI) Project in Mayukwayukwa Resettlement Scheme of Kaoma District in Western Province.
In a speech read on her behalf by Permanent Secretary Resettlement in The Office of The Vice-President Mavis Nkomeshya, Vice President Mutale Nalumango said that basic amenities such as road infrastructure among others were cardinal in national development.
Ms Nalumango said that through the Development of Basic Infrastructure Project, the refugees, former refugees and the host community in Mayukwayukwa were being considered for various basic amenities among them a good road network as they also contributed to the development of the country.
“When you have a good road network, it is easy to access health facilities, it is easy to access schools, you can easily take your farm produce market and come back the same day. And if you have a bridge, you cannot drown”, she said.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Zambia Resident Representative James Wakiaga said UNDP was a strategic partner with the government and JICA hence offering its support to the project.
Dr Wakiaga said UNDP was proud to continue serving as an implementation partner in the initiative.
He said his organisation remained committed to ensure that every resource entrusted to them translated into real measurable impact in the lives of the people.
“Roads and bridges are some of the tangible benefits infrastructure delivers to people in real life”, Dr. Wakiaga said.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Zambia Chief Representative Dr Ono Tomoko said the Development of Basic Infrastructure (DBI) Project was being implemented in Mayukwayukwa and Maheba Resettlement Schemes in Western and North-Western Provinces respectively to improve infrastructure, connectivity and access to essential services.
Dr Tomoko said JICA was advising the government in advancing local integration of refugees, former refugees and the host community in enabling them to participate fully in economic and social life.
The Development of Basic Infrastructure Project is being implemented by the Office of the Vice President through the Resettlement Division in partnership with the UNDP and was being funded by JICA.
The Zambia National Service was contracted to construct the 25-kilometre access road and the 100-metre footbridge across the Luampa River in Muyukwayukwa Resettlement Scheme.
