State focuses on North-western tourism development

North-western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said the programme dubbed “Destination North-west” will position the area as one of the major tourist attractions in the country.
“North-western Province is home to many tourist attractions such as the source of the Zambezi River, Mutanda Falls, Mushindano forest and Chinyingi suspension footbridge, among other attractions, and as the provincial administration office, we want to promote the area,” Mr Mubukwanu said in an interview in Solwezi yesterday.
He said the provincial administration office has since engaged various stakeholders to spearhead the programme that will enable the province increase its revenue base.
Mr Mubukwanu urged the private sector to invest in lodges and other hospitality infrastructure to supplement Government efforts of revamping the tourism sector in the area.
He said the establishment of various hospitality infrastructure will also create jobs for the local communities.
Mr Mubukwanu said Government is also improving infrastructure in the province to ease accessibility to the province, citing the road rehabilitation programme under the Link Zambia 8000 and Pave Zambia 2000 as some of the projects being undertaken in the province.
‘North-western Province is also benefiting from the road rehabilitation programme   and most of the roads being worked on lead to tourism sites,” he said.
He also said rehabilitation of Solwezi Airport has advanced, a move that will increase traffic once complete.
Mr Mubukwanu said the runway has been completed with the support from First Quantum Minerals Limited.
Mr Mubukwanu said the airport’s terminal building and fuel storage tank are also being developed.