Monitor Govt projects, policy  facilitators urged

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:06:40 +0000

By MUKOSELA KASALWE

IT IS necessary for policy facilitators to take keen interest and closely monitor the numerous projects in Luapula Province and ensure that they benefit the country, says Malaila traditional ceremony chairperson Musonda Mushota.

In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Mushota said that the Government had initiated many projects in the province but that the challenge was lack of close monitoring by policy implementers.

He said that the traditional leadership in the province, particularly Senior Chief Mushota, were happy with President Edgar Lungu’s visit and that it was an opportunity for them to share their views with him as it was an indication of the seriousness the President attached to the country’s development.

Mr Mushota said that projects such as the Chishinga ranch when fully operational could employ over 3,000 people, and cited the Kawambwa tea estate, among others, saying they had the potential to contribute to the country’s economy.

He said that a company called Luena had expressed interest to set up a sugar plantation and that they had concluded discussions with Senior Chief Mushota on their preparations to start growing sugarcane, pineapples and other produce and the land had already been secured for the project.

“We have a lot of projects here in Luapula Province which have been initiated by the Government and have great potential to benefit the province and the country at large but the problem is lack of close monitoring of these projects by policy facilitators,” Mr Mushota said.

Mr Mushota said that the province was privileged to have more than five Cabinet ministers who needed to utilise the opportunity to represent not only their needs but the country as a whole.

He said that the traditional leadership were happy that through ZAFFICO, Kawambwa tea was operational despite facing challenges but expressed hope that with the visit by the Head of State they would be tackled.