Zambia Cooperative Federation Regional Coordinator, Lloyd Kanyungu, says local communities across North-Western Province have continued to have access to solar energy initiatives implemented by the government through the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises.

Mr Kanyungu says the 100 solar milling plants dotted in all the districts in the province have enhanced access to affordable mealie meal and other food supplements for the local communities.

Speaking in an interview with the media in Solwezi, Mr Kanyungu disclosed that th e solar milling plants are dotted in all the districts to provide maize processing services to the far flung places.

He added that the government remains committed to ensuring communities have equal access to energy services and as such the installation of the solar energy milling plants is testament of its commitment.

Mr Kanyungu said community members were made to walk long distances to process their maize into mealie meal and sample, but that is not the case now as milling plants have been brought as close to their homes as possible.

He revealed that the initiative could not have come at a better time than this when the country has continued to grapple with load shedding.

Mr Kanyungu further added that the Zambia Cooperative Federation promotes value addition and urged all cooperatives in the province to utilise the initiative by producing maize in large quantities and process it into maize meal for income generation.

He also noted that the processing of maize meal by cooperatives will help with complimenting government’s effort in cushioning food security at household level and in the country at large.

‘‘The solar milling plants have been placed in all the 11 Districts of North – Western Province to allow the communities to process their maize as close to the homes as possible.

“As ZCF, we want all cooperatives to take interest in growing enough maize that will be processed into Maize meal and sold at a cheaper price,” he said.

Micheal Mbangu, a worker at a milling plant situated in Zangamenu and being managed by Natco Multipurpose Cooperative, expressed gratitude to the government for bringing solar milling plants in the communities, adding that it has created employment to youths.

‘’This intervention is highly commendable and I want to thank the government for bringing such services that are improving our livelihoods. Natco Cooperative has employed me here to work for them and when they pay me, I am able to take care of my family,”Mr Mbangu said.

He further appealed to the government to also consider electrifying the milling plants to enable them to function in rainy season, adding the province usually experiences heavy rains and during such times there is little to no sunlight.

Government has called on the private sector to partner with Copper Rose Zambia in supporting the organisation’s initiative aimed at raising over K250,000 to renovate and equip a safe house for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Lusaka.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, has described the initiative as a powerful expression of the government’s shared commitment to creating safe environments where youths can thrive.

The Media reports that in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Kangwa Chileshe, during Copper Rose Zambia’s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Lusaka last evening, Mr Nkandu noted that SGBV hinders youths from participating in sports, arts, education and leadership.

“A safe house is more than shelter, it is the first step towards healing, security, and renewed potential. This partnership with YWCA and Copper Rose Zambia demonstrates the multisectoral approach required to tackle this national challenge. This is not just social work, this is nation-building,” he said.

Mr Nkandu further stated that government recognises that the responsibility of youth empowerment cannot rest on civil society and government alone, and urged the corporate sector to rise to the occasion.

Speaking at the same event, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi, in a speech read for him by Zambia Association of Gynaecology (ZAGO) President, Dr Samson Chisele, commended Copper Rose Zambia for championing menstrual health long before it became a mainstream conversation.

Dr Lishimpi indicated that in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Copper Rose Zambia has reduced stigma, promoted hygiene and advocated for policy improvements.

He added that menstrual health interventions have significantly contributed to keeping girls in school and improving women’s dignity.

Meanwhile, Copper Rose Zambia Board Chairperson, Cheswa Vwalika disclosed that Copper Rose Zambia has reached over 250,000 adolescents and young people with important messages on sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention and mental health.

Dr Vwalika also disclosed that Copper Rose reached 25,000 boys and young men across seven districts and reduced school dropout risks.

“Over 12,000 young people were referred to essential services, and we trained more than 1,000 healthcare providers to deliver youth-friendly care,” she added.

President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed government’s commitment to providing farming inputs to farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in good time for the 2025-2026 farming season.

And, President Hichilema notes that he is aware of farmers that sold their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and have not yet been paid.

President Hichilema has since assured the farmers that government is committed to ensure that farmers are paid on time despite the challenges that are being experienced.

The media reports that the President was speaking in Siavonga at the Bagande Traditional ceremony in a speech read for him by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gift Sialubalo.

Mr Hichilema further reaffirmed government’s commitment to developing all parts of the country, as witnessed from the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in the past four years from K1.6 Million in 2021 to K40 Million in 2026.

The Head of State also stated that Siavonga has not been left out as over 16 projects across the district in all the 12 wards are being implemented.

“Development is being taken to all rural communities through the provision of water reticulation systems, and improved infrastructure in the education and health sectors,” Mr Hichilema said.

He also indicated that government has already allocated K1.4 Billion to provide clean and safe water to rural communities, and that an additional 3,500 teachers and 2, 500 health workers county wide has already been set to be recruited.

The President said among other things, the government has targeted to increase Social Cash Transfer to 1.5 million households to support the elderly and vulnerable citizens.

Earlier, Chief Simamba thanked the government for the mass development in infrastructure such as the Chief’s palace, schools and health facilities in the Chiefdom.

“We thank the government for the massive infrastructure we are seeing in the chiefdom, schools and renovation of classroom blocks and also the free education that the children are benefiting,” Chief Siamamba said.

Speaking through his Representative, Phanuel Simamba, Chief Siamaba also called for peace and unity among Zambians across the country.

 North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Grandson Katambi, says government will cover funeral expenses for the eight people from Mushindamo District who died in a road traffic accident along the Solwezi-Chingola Road.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday 2nd December, 2025 when a canter carrying people who had gone to sell maize in Solwezi was involved in an accident on their way back to Mushindamo, with eight people dying on the spot while five are hospitalised.

Col Katambi retired, said government understands the challenges that come with such predicaments, hence, the initiative to extend a helping hand.

The media reports that speaking when he visited a representative of the grieving families, the Permanent Secretary appealed to the families and the owner of the vehicle to quickly come to an agreement so that the deceased could be laid to rest.

“We sympathise with you and we hope that you can come to an agreement that will allow the loved ones to be put to rest,” he said.

He disclosed that government will procure coffins, provide food, and offer other logistical support during the burial.

Col Katambi (rtd) also visited victims of yesterday’s Likili Road Traffic Accident, who are admitted to Solwezi General Hospital.

He has also sent a message of condolences to the families of the eight who died in the canter accident and the two who died in the Likili bus accident.

“We are mourning with you during this difficult time,” he said.

Col Katambi (rtd) has further called on motorists to adhere to traffic rules to help prevent accidents and save lives.

Speaking on behalf of the eight families, Kenneth Kasongo, has thanked the government for coming to the aid of the families.

He added that the support will cushion the challenges they are facing during this difficult time.

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, has directed cement manufacturing companies to normalise prices and address the shortage of the commodity on the local market by Monday.

Mr Mulenga has expressed concern with the high prices of cement in the country.

He says it is worrying that the commodity is highly available for the export market at the expense of local consumers.

The media reports that speaking when he met officials from cement manufacturing companies in Lusaka today, Mr Mulenga said the government is pleased with high demand of cement both locally and internationally.

He, however, said that while it is encouraging to see a demand in the commodity both internationally and locally, this should not lead to exorbitant pricing and shortage of cement on the local market.

Mr Mulenga disclosed that President Hakainde Hichilema directed his Ministry to hold a meeting with cement manufacturers to find a common solution that will benefit the Zambian consumer.

Meanwhile, cement firms have pledged to work hard to quickly address cement shortages and pricing of the commodity.

Speaking on behalf of the companies, Dangote Cement, General Manager for Sales and Marketing, Cassandra Mhone, said for both the short and long term, the firms will improve their production capacities.

Ms Mhone assured that the companies will try to navigate around the challenges they are facing in terms of power supply for the plants based in Ndola.

ZESCO Chief Operations Officer, Peter Chamfya, assured the firms that power shortages will be addressed for Dangote Cement and Zambezi Portland Cement plants in Ndola immediately, as premium customers will not be affected by load management.

Chilanga Cement, Zambezi Portland, Sinoma Cement and Dangote Cement were all represented in the meeting.