The ongoing rehabilitation of a 44.6-million-kwacha access road, connecting the Lombe Lombe Resettlement Scheme from Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) Kamakokwa junction in Nkeyema District, has elated road users.
Nelvas Simazila of Mufumbwe uses the road to access social amenities in Nkeyema District, and commended the government over the works done so far on the 30-kilometer stretch being developed with funding from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
In an interview, Mr Simazila explained that people as far as Mufumbwe are using the road to access various services such as markets, health facilities, using various modes of road transportation.
He hailed the government for ensuring that public resources are prudently utilised for the benefit of all Zambians.
“This is the way to go, because of the rehabilitation of this road, I am able to easily transport my maize to Nkeyema district for sale,” Mr Simazila stated.
And Lombelombe Resettlement Scheme Farmers Coordinating Committee Chairperson, Ilukena Mukata explained some of the challenges previously faced due to the bad road network.
Mr Mukata said that before the project, it was difficult for the people in the resettlement scheme to travel to Nkeyema central business district as the road was impassable.
Mr Mukata noted that even when the road is under construction, it has eased movement of people as well as goods and services.
He noted that road development which includes rehabilitation of a bridge is the most important infrastructure that opens up both economic and social growth in communities, which will be the case for the Scheme.
“Although the road is still under construction, the benefits are already being felt by those residing within the scheme and neighbouring villages,” Mr Mukata said.
He added that the development in the education sector has improved literacy levels within the resettlement scheme.
Mr Mukata disclosed that the recruitment of a government teacher at Lombelombe Resettlement Community School has transformed learning.
He stated that the school has also revamped Production Unit activities which will help feed pupils and also as a revenue venture once the produce is sold to residents within the scheme.
Mr Mukata added that a one by three classroom block is under construction that will change the face of the community school with permanent structures.
He was also thankful to the government for sinking a solar powered borehole at the learning facility which is providing clean and safe water at the school and surrounding residents.
Meanwhile, Mr Mukata said that due to the drought disaster, most boreholes dried up in the Scheme, but thanked the government through the office of the Vice President for drilling four boreholes in different areas.
He noted that the settlers have continued to benefit from other government programmes such as skills development under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and distribution of relief maize to ensure no one goes hungry.
