Govt. has no plans to split Zambezi District – Veep
Zambezi, August 31st , 2014, ZANIS—- Government says it has got no plans of splitting west bank from the east bank of Zambezi District.
Vice President Guy Scott says government is however determined to develop the two areas that have largely undergone ethnic trials.
West bank is dominated by the Luvales while Lundas are found in the East Bank.
Dr. Scott says the PF government will prioritize the construction of a bridge cross the Zambezi River to connect the West Bank to Zambezi town in order to open up the district.
ZANIS reports that The Vice President said this in Zambezi yesterday when he officiated at the 2014 Likumbi Lyamize traditional ceremony o the Luvale speaking people.
“Splitting West Bank from the East Bank, No…Government has got no plans of doing that but we’re determined to develop Zambezi,” Dr. Scott said.
Dr. Scott said government has constructed a lot of bridges since 2011 when it came into power and that the opening of the Michael Sata Bridge in Chiawa was just one of the significant examples to demonstrate its commitment to develop the country.
He disclosed that Muyembe bridge in the area would be constructed at a cost of K71,000 and an additional K50,000 would be spent on repairing all the feeder roads in the district while the pontoon at Muyembe River would be rehabilitated.
He further disclosed that the Kazungula bridge which is expected to be officially commissioned next week would also speak volumes on what the major plans of government area.
Meanwhile, Dr. Scott says 7,000 x 50kgs bags of fertilizer have arrived in Zambezi for this year’s farming season.
He also says 6,000 people on the Zambezi West Bank have benefited from K4 million Social Cash transfer.
The Vice President has assured Senior Chief Ndungu that government is committed to working with traditional leaders in the country.
Dr. Scott donated iron sheets to Senior Chief Ndungu from his Office under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit.
On the proposal to create Zambezi Central into a district, the Veep said he would report to the Head of State Mr. Michael Sata on the suggestion.
Earlier, Senior Chief Ndungu said he was disappointed that the Ministry of education has defied President Michael Sata’s directive to teach both Lunda and Luvale in Zambezi District.
Likumbi Lyamize 2014 National Organising Chairperson Max Mbunji commended for the support rendered to chiefs including Senior Chief Ndungu.
ZAMTEL Chief Marketing Officer Evan Muhanga said his organisation would set-up 1,300 communication towers across the country.
Mr. Muhanga disclosed that in the next five to seven years, ZAMTEL would invest over U$S140 million this year in its strive to connect people to the latest G4 connectivity that is efficient, reliable and effective.
He said in a program dubbed, “water for life”, ZAMTEL would construct eight bore holes in all the 10 provinces of Zambia from the initial 45 sung last year in 2013.
This year’s Likumbi lya Mize traditional ceremony was sponsored by Zamtel who pumped in K200,000.