Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has urged Traditional leaders in Mushindamo district to administer land for infrastructure development in their chiefdoms with caution.

Dr Musokotwane says this follows the signing of the concession agreement with Borderway Investment under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) to construct the Solwezi-Mushindamo-Kipushi border road in North-western province.

Dr Musokotwane leading a delegation of council of Ministers for the PPP projects said tarring the  111 kilometer stretch to a good road network will have the area record massive development and investment in various social and economic sectors  that will require land which will be given in an orderly manner.

He said this during an engagement with chiefs prior to the signing ceremony of the concession agreement for the construction of the Solwezi-Kipushi border road.

“The roads which will be done through the PPP will ensure more projects to be done that will boost our economy, and tomorrow we are also signing for the commencement of the Mutanda-Kasempa-Kaoma road which will be upgraded and tarred to enhance the country’s and global economic activities, “He said.

Mr Musokotwane said the road that has set conversations going on for so many years from previous governments will soon be worked on by the New Dawn administration  under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema to boost trade between  Zambia and Congo DR.

“Chiefs have been tasked to give land but let us ensure that the government and the traditional leadership work together in order to avoid the chaos when development begins to unfold because we need to have livelihood services brought after the construction of the road”, he said.

Provincial Minister Robert Lihefu expressed delight that the road being worked on will benefit the province and the country as a whole economically adding that the task which was given to the New Dawn Government by the people of Northwestern province has been fulfilled.

Speaking on behalf of chiefs in the district, Chief Musaka of the Lamba Speaking people said a good road network which was a dream and a cry of the five chiefs in the District has come to reality.

Chief Musaka said the poor road network has been a hindrance to people   in accessing quality health care service from Solwezi among others social services.

“We are really very happy and thanking the government and the President for this gesture of the road construction which has been our cry for many years. It is hard to even transport patients to Solwezi but this will be a good contribution to our lives”, he said.