Luangeni dam construction begins

The construction of the K1.7 million dam meant for irrigation activities and fish farming in Luangeni constituency in Chipata district has started.

Luangeni Member of Parliament Charles Zulu told ZANIS in an interview
in Lusaka today that more than 60 local people have since been employed to do the clear the construction site.

Mr. Zulu said the local people should be empowered and so that they can have a sense of ownership of the dam and other development projects.

He said the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has also started electrifying Luangeni constituency in an effort to reach out to schools and clinics in the area.

Mr. Zulu further said the electrification started from Chipata to Mkaika village and from Feni Substation through to Luangeni village.

Other electrified areas are Zizwe, Mtombimbi and Mashanga villages whose residents are now happy with the current developments in the constituency.

Meanwhile Mr. Zulu, who is also Deputy Minister of Energy, has distributed over K164, 000 worth of Cheques to women clubs in his constituency.

Mr. Zulu said a total of 20 women clubs benefited from the cheques that were presented to the women in the area at the weekend.

He said some of the clubs that benefited are Jerusalem, Tigwirizane, Ntambusha and Chimwala.

Mr. Zulu said women empowerment was important because it benefits both
individual families and the community at large.

He said since the creation of women clubs in his constituency, the rate of gender based violence has drastically reduced.

He attributed this to women being kept busy with other activities thereby avoiding quarrels with their spouses.

Mr. Zulu said women clubs have since come together to form an organisation called ‘early marriage fighters’ which is aimed at combating early marriages in the area.