• Ministry of Local Government has disbursed K43 million to facilitate for immediate construction of critical Crossing-Points in selected rural Districts.
• The Ministry further disbursed K4, 248,994.40 to Ndola City Council for the rehabilitation of Kapalala Market in Masala Township.
• This follows an inferno that swept through the trading area on 16th August 2022 at about 20:30 hours.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says it has disbursed K4, 248,994.40 million to Ndola City Council for rehabilitation of Kapalala Market in Masala Township, which was recently gutted affecting over 1, 200 traders.

Ministry’s Permanent Secretary for Administration Mambo Hamaundu said this is out of the K43 million that has been released to Seven Councils to accelerate rural development projects in various parts of the country under Rural Infrastructure Development component of the 2022 Ministry budget.

Mr. Hamaundu explained that the funding is earmarked to support selected Districts in various Provinces to immediately embark on the construction and rehabilitation works of identified projects before the onset of the rain season.

He also disclosed that Chama District has received K8 million as part payment from the requested total amount of K8, 645,691.12 for the construction and rehabilitation of selected crossing points.

“K7 million has been disbursed to Kasenengwa District, as part payment of K11, 474,738.12 which was requested to facilitate for the construction of three critical crossing points and five other identified points in the District.”

“Further, K8 million has been disbursed to Mongu District, while in Vubwi District, K3 million, which is a part payment towards the total requested amount of K 3,638,142.00, has also been disbursed. The funds are earmarked for immediate rehabilitation of critical crossing points in these two Districts,” he revealed.

Mr. Hamaundu further disclosed that of the requested amount of K6, 850,000.00 in Gwembe District, a total of K5 million-part payment, has been disbursed for the rehabilitation of damaged bridges and culverts on the Tobe-Sompani and Hanyombo-Bunyente Roads.

He added that K3 million was disbursed to Chadiza District, as part payment from the requested K3,436,854.96 for the construction of three critical crossing points in the area.

“Out of the requested amount of K3, 053,300.00, a total of K3 million has been disbursed to Mulobezi District to facilitate for the rehabilitation of 10 kilometers of selected Township Roads. K3 million was disbursed for Katete District as part payment from the total amount K3,173,547.64, requested for the construction of three critical crossing points.”

“In Mambwe District, K3 million was disbursed for the construction of three critical crossing points from the requested total amount K3, 968,023.60. K3 million was disbursed for Katete District as part payment from the total amount K3,173,547.64, requested for the construction of three critical crossing points. In Mambwe District, K3 million was disbursed for the construction of three critical crossing points from the requested total amount K3, 968,023.60,” he added.

Mr. Hamaundu advised all Councils to utilize the funds for the intended purpose in order to achieve meaningful development, further urging them to submit progress reports and financial returns once funds are utilized.