— Commander Mihova calls for continued peace

Commander Mihova calls for continued peace

Ndola, February 17, 2015 ZANIS – Zambia Army Commander, Paul Mihova has commended his troops for maintaining peace on the Copperbelt during and after the January 20 Presidential elections.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt Province Minister, Mwenya Musenge urged the Army chief to address the equipment challenges that the army is facing in the region.

Lieutenant General Mihova says he is happy with the way government has continued implementing various developmental projects in the region, adding that there is need to also work on roads leading to various barracks in order to ease movement.

Lt-Gen. Mihova further commended government for opening a commando Marine in Kawambwa District of Luapula Province, describing it as a move which will help in reducing the abduction of Zambian citizens.

“I wish to commend my men and women in Uniform for the great job of maintaining peace on the Copperbelt during and after elections.

“ Let me also thank you honourable minister for addressing challenges that men and women in uniform bring to this office, I also wish to state that the creation of the Marine Commando Unit in Kawambwa was a good move.

“  This will help in stopping the abduction of our citizens, it will also help us defend and protect our country,” said Lt Gen. Mihova.

He said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Copperbelt Provincial Minister, Mwenya Musenge in Ndola today.

The Army Commander who is the Province to explain the Patriotic Front (PF) government policies to the military in the region added that the Military Hospital currently under construction in Ndola would soon be opened.

He said the hospital will not only service both civilians and men and women in uniform, but will also accommodate patients from Northern, Muchinga and North western Provinces.

The Army Commander appealed to government to consider awarding contracts to the Zambia Army, saying it has enough qualified engineers who can do a good job at a cheaper rate.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt Province Minister, Mwenya Musenge urged the Army commander to address the equipment challenges that the army is facing in the region.

Mr. Musenge called on the Army Commander to come up with deliberate programmes to help local communities by putting up footbridges in rural areas where they have been washed away by rains.

The Copperbelt Minister said that the region’s eyes are set to see the Northern Region Hospital open saying that it would help in decongesting Ndola Central Hospital (NCH).

“The major challenge that this office receive from troops is the equipment issue, I think the Army has to be supported.

“ My plea to you sir is that try to come up with deliberate programmes by putting in place arrangements that will help your troops to address emergency cases such as putting up footbridges, retrieving  drowned dead bodies and floods,” Mr. Musenge said.