-Mpika fuel project ready for hand-over

Mpika fuel project ready for hand-over

Mpika, June 3, 2013, ZANIS…The US$10 million fuel reserves project
under construction in Mpika district of Muchinga province is
scheduled to be handed over to the government by end of July next
month.

The project once completed will service Luapula, Northern and Muchinga
provinces.
Belgravia Constructions Limited Site Manager Collins Kipkoril said the
project is in its final stage adding the all the logistics and
materials to complete the project which started in 2011 are in place.

Mr. Kipkoril disclosed this to Muchinga Province Minister Colonel
Gerry Chanda when he visited the project over the weekend.

He said the works are progressing well and that they are
within the stipulated time frame.

Mr Kipkoril said the fuel reserves have the capacity to store
4 million litres of diesel, 2million litres of petrol and 500,000
litres of Kerosene.

Mr. Kipkoril said the project had created about 110 employment
opportunities adding that 90 of the workers are Zambians while 20 are
expatriates.

Mr. Kipkoril further told the minister that the workers have been
trained in various skills.

And Muchinga Province Minister Colonel Chanda said he is happy that
the company is observing the minimum wage as required by the laws of
the country.

Colonel Chanda said the works done so far are impressive adding that
the workmanship being exhibited by the contractor Belgravia is of high
quality and on course.

He said the developmental project being established in the district
once commissioned will contribute to the economic development of the
Province and ultimately the country as a whole.

Colonel Chanda added that the project will also reduce on the fuel
shortages that are experienced in the country periodically.

Colonel Chanda said once the project becomes operational it will
create more jobs for the Zambian youths, women and men saying the
Patriotic Front ( PF ) is committed to creating more jobs in the country
 as enshrined in its  manifesto.

The minister was accompanied on the inspection tour of the project by
Mpika Administrative officer Mumbi Kaweme, Muchinga Province
Administration Officer Chileshe Puta and other heads of Government
departments.

Colonel Chanda is on a continued tour of the province to check on the
developmental projects going on in the area.

He is also taking time to meet heads of Government departments and
local chiefs to explain the Government’s decision to remove subsidies
on fuel and maize.
ENDS/