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Vice President Guy Scott has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote development in the country.
Dr. Scott said this in a speech read for him by Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu during the launch of the Mwape chiefdom development strategic plan in Nyimba district over the weekend.
The Vice President said that Government would continue implementing pro – poor programmes especially among people in rural areas.
Dr. Scott commended Chieftainess Mwape for being committed to ensuring food security as outlined in the strategic plan.
He stated that Government would study the strategic plan in order for it to work effectively in enhancing development in collaboration with the traditional leadership.
The Vice President noted that Government attached great importance to developmental initiatives from traditional leaders.
And Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone said Government has paid a total of K47.4 million out of K291.4 million owed to farmers in the Eastern province.
Mr Sichone said in a speech read for him by Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary Zecharriah Luhanga that this left a balance of K244 million to be paid to the farmers while K6.4 million was currently with the banks in the province.
Mr Sichone said the FRA had purchased 210,297 by 50 kilogram bags of maize in Nyimba district worth K14.7 million.
The Provincial Minister said the Mwape chiefdom strategic plan indicates the willingness of the community to get involved in socio economic developmental efforts being spearheaded by the Government.
Mr Sichone observed that Government had continued to implement developmental programmes in Eastern Province and cited the construction of the Vizimumba Secondary School at a cost of K22, 884,000.
“Phase one of the construction of the school is nearing completion, and Chiware school is also being constructed at the cost K28, 443,000 while K8, 857,500 will be spent to construct Katopola secondary school,” he said.
Mr Sichone noted that Government was constructing a district hospital saying phase one would be done at a cost of K9, 300,000.
He stated that 14.5 kilometers of township roads were being upgraded to bituminous level while full rehabilitation of the Great East Road from Luangwa Bridge to Mwami border was underway.
Meanwhile, chieftainess Mwape said the strategic plan highlighted the need to improve developmental infrastructure in her chiefdom saying her people wanted to grow sufficient food to feed themselves.
Chieftainess Mwape commended USAID and SHARE project for providing both technical and financial support towards the development of the strategic plan.
She noted that Government provided an enabling environment for people in the country to drive their own developmental agenda.
“We have declared that we will do what we can as a chiefdom and we will ask from Government only when it is necessary as we implement this plan that we have developed,” said Chieftainess Mwape
