President Edgar Lungu says climate change continues to be an impediment of the country’s success and Western Province has not been spared from the climate challenges.
Speaking when he visited projects under the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) and handing over support to PPCR beneficiaries in Lukulu district, Western Province, President Lungu stated that Implementation of the US$50.6 million project is a clear demonstration of government’s resolve to sustain livelihood even in the midst of harsh social and economic conditions caused by climate change.
He disclosed that government with support from the World Bank is scaling up the program to Northern, Muchinga and Luapula provinces, adding that US$100 million has been pumped into the program following the successful implementation of the project in Western Province.
The Head of State further said government is determined to end poverty through the promotion of Climate Change resilience programs.
“We are all aware that the Patriotic Front government has always pursued an ambitious agenda of delivering socio-economic development.”
“This has been done through construction and rehabilitation of various infrastructural projects and implementation of other programs in sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Education, among others,” President Lungu said.
He explained that this development has been spread across various parts of the country to ensure the benefits of development accrue to all citizens in the spirit of not leaving anyone behind.
During the ceremony, 13 groups were given empowerment funds to venture in livestock, crafts, milling and mining activities.
And speaking earlier, Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme said the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience has been helping vulnerable communities to adapt to the impact of climate vulnerability and climate change by helping them undertake activities such as Horticulture, aquaculture and livestock management.
Mr. Chiteme said the project is being implemented in 17 districts of Western and Southern Provinces.
“My Ministry has been coordinating the Zambia Strengthening Climate Resilient Project whose objective has been to strengthen Zambia’s institutional framework for climate resilience and improve the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities in the Barotse sub-basin.”
“The project is being implemented in 17 districts of Western and Southern Provinces,” Mr. Chiteme said.
The PPCR is one of the flagship projects in the Ministry of National Development Planning aimed at empowering the people in communities to be self-sufficient, mitigate and adapt to the negative impact of climate change.