ZNS gets equipment boost

Government has procured earth moving equipment at a cost of K360 million for the Zambia National Service (ZNS).

ZNS Director of Sport and Culture Colonel Mathias Banda revealed the development when he officiated at the ZNS annual ball held at Chiwoko ZNS camp in Chipata yesterday.

Colonel Banda said the service was not performing so well in the area of land development because of the aging fleet of earth moving machines which constantly broke down on projects.

He said government gesture of buying new machines will bring back to life all land development units across the country and improve ZNS levels of efficiency in the execution of developmental projects.

Col Banda also said all government funded projects of opening up rural areas through construction and rehabilitation of feeder roads which started as a pilot project in Petauke district will be extended to other parts of the country this year.

He instructed staff in the ZNS land development branch to work hard to ensure the huge investment government has made in the branch impacted positively on the lives of many Zambians.

Meanwhile, Colonel Banda said government remained committed to ensuring that the welfare of personnel was well looked after in the area of clothing, transport, decent accommodation and payment of allowances and claims.

‘’ You will agree with me that the huge backlog of outstanding claims and allowances the government owed us dating as far back as the late 1990s has since been cleared,’’ he said.

He also said the dilapidated nature and non-existence of key infrastructure in most units was being addressed by government.

Col Banda said the onus was now with officers and other staff to put in their best effort in their work as a way to reciprocate government’s gesture.

He also urged officers to remain loyal to the government of the day by not engaging in partisan politics especially this month when the country goes to the presidential polls.

‘’ As professional military officers and men, we should leave politics to politicians. Defence and security personnel are expected to remain loyal to the government of the day and those of us who wish to join politics are at liberty to do so provided we first resign and pursue a political career outside this noble profession,’’ Col Banda said.