Kabombo has not be left behind - DC

GOVERNMENT has never sidelined Kabompo district in the developmental agenda, says District Commissioner, Patrick Kasoka.

Mr Kasoka explained that his office has in the last five years managed to increase the number of beneficiaries on the social cash transfer programme from 4,000 to 6,000 just to enable the vulnerable livelihoods to be uplifted.

"Government has never sidelined Kabompo in the development agenda, despite the limited resource envelope, notable developmental achievements have been recorded”, Mr Kasoka said.

The DC said this in Kabompo on Wednesday during a last full council meeting.

Mr Kasoka added that Government has consistently catered for farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) as well as built 15 secondary schools as previously only four existed in the entire district.

"Kabompo only had four secondary schools but now has 15 which have been built in a space of five years and as such also managed to recruit 588 teachers to be in these schools,” Mr Kasoka said.

He said four rural health posts had been constructed and commissioned as well as the Enoch Kavindele mini hospital to help increase quality health services closer to the people of Kabompo.

At the same event, Kabompo district agriculture coordinator, Peter Chibizwa, said the agriculture office has captured over 16,000 farmers though only 7,000 are picked to be considered for the FISP programme due to the limited resource envelope.

Mr Chibizwa said the farmers that continue to benefit will at some point be weaned off to allow others benefit as the programme is not perpetual.

"We have over 16,000 farmers and we picked the 7,000 from the same. 9,000 farmers on our system are still pending as they do not benefit from the programme.

"The plan is to have some of these farmers weaned off at some point so that others benefit from the support programme,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kabompo Town Council deputy council chairperson, Miyutu Kalesa, thanked Government for working with all the councillors during their tenure despite their political affiliation.

Mr Kalesa said it was pleasing to see many notable projects take off and completed as all the Government departments showed unity in the implementation process.

"We are glad that you all worked with us as one during our tenure as councillors. DC we commend you to continue with this spirit even in the next term.

"Your presence has allowed us to get the answers we all had, please continue,” he said.

And Kabompo Town Council Secretary, Brian Musonda, said the community radio station will be in operation in the next three months as the contractor has already signed the contract.

Mr Musonda added that renovation works for the council chamber and other buildings have also reached an advanced stage as only the sealing is remaining. - ZANIS