Some newly created districts taking shape

Some new district that were declared by President Michael Sata have started taking shape with some staff deployed and construction of infrastructure being under way.

In Lusaka President Sata in his quest to decentralise  governance of the nation, declared four districts which include Chilanga, Simuyunji, Rufunsa and Chirundu.

In all the four districts, the President has appointed District Commissioners to oversee the operation of the district and spearhead development.

In some district the process of constructing the administration block and other structures that come with the district status have started while in others plans are still on paper.

In Rufunsa, the District Administration has already advertised in the media inviting contractors to bid for the contract to build infrastructure while in Chilanga, stakeholders are yet to agree on where the district offices will be located.

Rufunsa District Commissioner Paul Kasongo said his office has called for contractor to bid for the contract and soon the construction will begin.

Mr. Kasongo has however warned some officers who were sent to his district but have only reported once and later stopped reporting saying such officer’s risk losing their jobs.

He said a number of officers who have been transferred from various district to his area had not been coming for work for unknown reasons.

And Chilanga DC Patrick Phiri said stakeholders in his district will soon meet to discuss where the district offices will be constructed.

Mr. Phiri said stakeholders will also discuss where the district hospital and other departmental offices will be located as there is debate among the stakeholders as to where the offices will be located.

He said the district has since embarked on various projects such as the construction of a secondary school and the sinking of boreholes to supply clean drinking water.

He said the school and since been completed and that enrolment of grade eight pupils has commenced this year.

He added that the water reticulation project which is under the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company has started and is expected to gobble over K4.5 million rebased.

He said people are happy that the district is gradually take shape with many projects being implemented.