Govt determined to ensure infrastructure development

Government says infrastructure development is very important if any meaningful development was to take place in the country.

Southern Province Permanent Secretary Darius Hakayobe said this in Livingstone today when he toured the new Shoprite Complex that will house other shops such as Mr Price and some banks.

Mr Hakayobe who was accompanied by Livingstone District Commissioner Francis Chika and Livingstone Mayor Jorum Mwinda said there was need to develop infrastructure before embarking on any kind of business.

He said the new Shoprite Complex in Livingstone was the largest and biggest single investment that Shoprite had invested in so far in the province.

Mr Hakayobe also challenged the Shoprite management to ensure that their prices remained competitive with their neighbours in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

The Permanent Secretary also said that he was happy that 90 percent of the workforce was employed from Southern Province adding that it was also good that some workers were coming from Lusaka and the Copperbelt provinces as they would bring some expertise from outside the province.

Mr Hakayobe reminded management at the new Shoprite Checkers that the workforce was the greatest asset to the company ans urged management to train the workers.

And speaking at the same occasion Livingstone Mayor Jorum Mwinda said he was happy that a lot of developments were taking place in the district adding that farmers would directly benefit by selling their produce to Shoprite.

He said there was also need for a law to be effected that would allow shops to extend their operating hours.

Mr Mwinda said Livingstone as a tourist destination needed extended business hours to enable tourists to buy goods at any given time.

The new Shoprite complex is set to officially open its doors to the public by November 26, this year.
ZANIS