Government under the Zambia Devolution Support Programme (ZDSP) has given a grant of K8.3 million to Rufunsa Town Council in Lusaka Province for capital projects.
Rufunsa Town Council Secretary, Venture Kafula and District Director for Planning, Mutinta Matekenya disclosed this during the Stakeholder engagement meeting.
In his presentation to the stakeholders, Director for Planning, Mutinta Matekenya said that for the Government to actualize the decentralization programme it has been giving grants to some selected councils and in this year’s allocation Rufunsa district was given K2.6 million.
“As you are all aware that Government through the ZDSP allocated a grant of K2.6 million and as stakeholders we all agreed on the construction of a bus station in Rufunsa ward, construction of a market shelter with toilets at Chitemalesa market and procurement of differential global position system (GPS)”, said Ms. Matekenya.
She said that as for the 2025 ZDSP grants, Rufunsa has been given K8.3 million for Capital Projects in the district and that from this the council management was proposing to construct a Fire Service station, Modern Bus station, Trucking Bay, and a Community Radio Station.
Stakeholders in the meeting, especially councillors, were against the proposal of a community radio station and a Fire Service station which is at an estimated cost of about K3.5 million arguing that the two were not a priority in the area.
Kankumba Ward Councillor, Tapela Mbewe said that the Radio station and the Fire Service station were not a priority in their wards and that the money be channeled to other projects like sinking of boreholes.
“The Community Radio station and the Fire Service Station are not a priority in our areas but we feel the money should be allocated to the sinking of boreholes,” said Ms. Mbewe.
Ms. Mbewe was supported by some few counsillors and it took the District Commissioner, Richard Mabena and the Council Chairperson, Kenndey Mailoni to explain that they should take advantage of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to enhance development in their areas.
“Fellow Councilors, I am urging you to focus on the development of the district and for us to be given this grant from the government, let us utilize the grant for the benefit of the entire district,” said Mr. Mailoni.
The District Commissioner also added that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was available which Councillors working with the Ward Development Committees can access for projects in their areas.
“The Construction of the Fire Service station, especially if equipped, will help in solving some problems that the district has been facing in terms of road accidents happening along the great east road and some other parts of the district,” said Mr. Mabena.
