COUNCILLOR FUMES OVER STALLED HEALTH POST

By NATION REPORTER COMMUNITY members in Lulimala ward in Chitambo district have complained about the stalled health post project in the area, saying there is need for the state to complete the facility.

Lulimala ward Councillor Chiluba Mausala told the Daily Nation in interview that despite the ward benefiting from the 650 health posts, government had constructed country wide, this was not the case in his ward because the project was still at foundation stage.

Councillor Mausala wondered why the project had taken long to complete in his area while in other places similar projects had been completed or were about to be opened to the public.

Mr. Mausala said the situation was a source of concern for community members because access to health services in the area had become a challenge as the project had stalled since inception.

“As a community we are really concerned about the delayed construction of Lulimala Health post. Residents are travelling between 30 to 40 km to access health services from the nearest Kantoka health post.

“We are facing challenges with emergency cases such as pregnant mothers who need to be ferried for delivery at awkward hours because of distance.” Mr. Mausala complained.

Councillor Mausala said, despite assurances that the contractor would soon be on the site to resume construction works, the community was eager to see the project becoming a practical reality unlike pronouncements.

Mr. Mausala appealed to government to ensure that the contractor was on site to resume construction of the health facility and complete it.

Meanwhile, Kalubula Primary School head teacher in Mkushi district Cornwell Hansangwa has appealed to government to install communication towers in the area. Mr Hansangwa made an appeal in interview with the Daily Nation that there is need by the relevant authority to consider erecting communication towers even one to improve cellular communication in the area for development purposes.

Mr. Hansangwa explained that community members including teachers had bought smart phones but rendered useless because they only become useful when one travelled out of the area to places where cellular network was available.

He said teachers who are doing distances studies including himself faced challenges in accessing educational materials through internet from platforms such as whatsap due to absence of internet connectivity.

“The challenge also goes to teaching lessons in Information Communication Technology (ICT) because pupils just know cellular communication in theory not in pragmatic. Unless those pupils who have an opportunity to visit areas where cellular communication is available.” Mr. Hansangwa said.

Mr. Hansangwa noted that if government could intervene and erect communication towers in the area, this would help trigger development in the area.

And Mr. Hansangwa said his administration had embarked on construction of a literature centre to improve the reading culture among pupils and community members who are not able to read and write.

He said the move would enhance the reading culture which he said was important in human life for better understanding of issues. The head teacher said community members would be charged a minimal fee for administration purposes and running of the programme.