Speed up process of building district – Mwata tells Government

Speed up process of building district – Mwata tells Government

Mwansabombwe, Apr 15/13, ZANIS———–Chief Mwatakazembe of the Lunda people of Mwansabombwe district in Luapula Province has called on government to speed up the processes of infrastructural development in the district.

The Mwatakazembe says there is need to speed up the processes of infrastructural development in the newly created district in order for it to be fully operational.

He says it is worrying that since the time the district was created in July last year, nothing much has happened in terms of infrastructural development.

Mwatakazembe said this when Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, John Kufuna, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday.

He observed that there is need to engage local contractors during the construction of the district so that they also benefit.

The chief indicated that if local contractors are to benefit from the construction of the district, there is need to decentralise the tendering processes to the provincial level, saying many contractors in the province have no capacity to chase the tendering processes in Lusaka

He said he has been honoured by the creation of the district during his reign, adding that the call for the creation of the district had been a long time request which has only become a reality now.

The chief has since called on the district leadership to work hard and leave a legacy to the people of having been part of the development of the district.

The Mwatakazembe emphasised that there is need for unity if the district is to develop and indicated that Mwansabombwe has a lot of advantages in terms of developing compared to other newly created district.

And Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, John Kufuna, assured the Mwatakazembe that government is doing everything possible to ensure that the infrastructure in the district is built.

Mr Kufuna said government has begun the tendering processes for infrastructural development in different districts, including Mwansabombwe, and assured Mwatakazembe that works will commence as soon as the tendering processes are over.

Mr Kufuna told the Mwatakazembe that through the Pave Zambia road project, each district including Mwansabombwe, will benefit equally on road maintenance.

The Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister is in Luapula Province to check on infrastructure under his ministry.