Nakonde Town Council in Muchinga Province has pledged to prioritize the completion of all stalled and ongoing development projects under the 2026 budget before embarking on new projects in 2027.
Council Chairperson, Muwemba Mugala, notes that some of the projects approved this year have only reached 20 percent completion while others have stalled, hence the need to use the 2027 budget on finishing them.
Mr Mugala who was briefed by Council Secretary, Donald Mwanza, said this at a press briefing held at the Council Chamber today.
“There are a number of projects that we have approved, some are at 20%, some have stalled. We want to complete all the projects before we start new ones so the 2027 budget will also speak to issues of completing those we had started,” he said.
Mr Mugala stated that the local authority is currently implementing measures to address critical infrastructure challenges in the district.
He cited the bridge in Mipulya Village which has become impassable, a situation that has affected access to Mipulya Health Post.
Mr Mugala said patients are now being picked by ambulance from Kangwa turn-off.
He said as an interim measure, the Engineering Department has been tasked to carry out remedial works on the bridge.
He disclosed that the Council plans to demolish the current structure and construct a more durable bridge under the 2027 budget.
Mr Mugala added that the Council has approved the drilling of 15 boreholes with each ward expected to benefit from one.
He said the sites were submitted by councilors and that the local authority will work with traditional leaders and the Survey Department to secure and gazette the land as public property to prevent encroachment or resale by private individuals.
“We have had incidents where we drill a borehole at someone’s place and when he sells that place, the community loses access. This time we will map the sites and make them council property,” he said.
The Chairperson said the Council will not rely solely on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) but will use locally generated revenue from trucks and business houses towards community projects.
He said the Council will soon convene a stakeholders meeting to allow members of the public to make inputs into the 2027 budget, adding that the district’s plans will be aligned to the national development agenda as pronounced by President Hakainde Hichilema.
Meanwhile, Council Secretary, Donald Mwanza, has called on residents to take care of public infrastructure.
Mr Mwanza expressed concern over vandalism and careless handling of public property, stating that some residents, including street vendors, damage facilities meant for common use.
He said the Council will soon install over 30 waste bins donated by a well-wisher and appealed to residents, particularly restaurant owners, to avoid disposing of hot ashes and charcoal in the bins as this destroys them.
Mr Mwanza urged the community to take collective responsibility in keeping the town clean and protecting public assets.
“Do not put fire in the bins because they will be destroyed. More especially those who own restaurants, after cooking on a brazier you just throw hot ash in a
Public bin. The Council will be accused of not providing bins while we the people are the ones destroying them,” he said.
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