Kasama DC hails progress at livestock centre
GOVERNMENT has expressed satisfaction with progress on the construction of the Chipompo Livestock Service Centre in Kasama which it says is nearing completion.
Speaking after touring the project, Kasama District Commissioner Kelly Kashiwa said he was impressed with the workmanship of the contractor, Aston Investments Limited, a Chinese firm.
He said at the rate the project is going, the company would beat the 18-month deadline.
Mr. Kashiwa said the classroom block at the institution had been roofed and plastered together with an office block, kitchen and two dormitory blocks with 20 bed spaces while metal and other subsidiary works were still in progress.
He said he had taken keen interest in the project and had regularised his visits on site to monitor its progress and noted that a lot of works had been done from the last time he visited.
“I am impressed that the over K15 million project funded by AfDB is nearing completion. This is why regular visits and monitoring are important because they give us the actual status of projects and enables us to improve and be on the right track during the entire project lifespan. From the last visit conducted, we now know the status quo of the project and is encouraging.
“The project has reached 75 percent from completion and so far, seven low cost, three medium cost and a high cost housing unit has been roofed and plastered while ceiling and plumbing works are in progress. Metal works such as door and window frames are already done together with the kitchen,” Mr. Kashiwa said.
He said the remaining works included the construction of dip tanks for cattle and goats and that the contractor was expected to handover the facility by December this year.
He said Government and President Edgar Lungu attached great importance to the agriculture sector and livestock development in particular and that he was personally looking forward to the completion of the project which would add value to the economy of the country.
He said once opened, the facility will not only improve animal health in the area but will also provide knowledge to the farmers on how best to look after their livestock thereby imparting them with the technical know-how on the best practices needed to produce the best qualities that would compete favourably at the international market.
“The economic value of the project is that farmers will now come for knowledgebuilding on livestock rearing thereby improving the quality and number of livestock in Kasama and Northern Province at large.
“So far K10,222,203.03 has spent on this project and we are looking forward to its completion so that the facility can start operating and providing a service to our people,” he said.