CHIEF Simamba of Siavonga district in Southern province has revealed that preparations for the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a fertilizer plant in his chiefdom has started.

The traditional leader revealed that this follows the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and Blooming Chemical Industry Limited partnering and signing an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) for the construction of a fertiliser plant in Siavonga district valued at $845 million in April this year.

The Chief said that minor works on the land earmarked for the fertilizer plant in Butete area were carried out in readiness for the ground breaking ceremony slated for December this year.

Chief Simamba says progress has been made revealing that equipment and other material required for the project is being delivered on site.

“I was there in Butete to check on the investors who want to build a fertilizer plant. There is progress in terms of preparation for the ground breaking ceremony slated for December,” he stated.

Chief Simamba added that the development will be a game changer for the community and the country’s economy, adding that the development will create more employment opportunities.

And Siavonga District Commissioner Geoffrey Jakopo says the fertilizer plant will drive the economy of the district in areas of job creation, market access and enhanced agriculture produce.

He said the government wants to ensure that people access cheaper agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and seed.

“As government we are in a hurry to ensure that various sectors are attended to, among them the agriculture industry, this fertilizer plant will answer to the numerous challenges that our people face such as lack of jobs and affordable inputs,” he said.

ZANIS reports that the project will aim to produce about 520,000 tonnes of urea and 300,000 tonnes of ammonia as a by-product per year.