HH puts housing, roads on ministers agenda
By Adrian Mwanza
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has challenged newly appointed Minister of Housing Dr Christopher Kalila to find practical and affordable solutions to the country’s housing challenges.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at State House yesterday, Hichilema said there was a great need for decent accommodation for public service workers.
He directed Dr Kalila and Minister of Transport and Logistics Charles Milupi to build decent, affordable houses for nurses, teachers, agricultural officers and other public service workers.
“Where there are no roads, let’s cut roads. We need to find a way of opening roads,” Hichilema said.
He said there was a housing deficit in the country and public service workers were heavily affected.
Hichilema said Dr Kalila should add value to the Cabinet by bringing in new ideas that provide solutions to the deficit.
“There is no time to rest; there is no time to wait Dr Kalila. I want you to bring value to the Cabinet. We need to find affordable accommodation for our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema directed Milupi to prioritise basic infrastructure, including roads, drainage and sanitation, in housing schemes.
He said it was important to revitalise railway transportation, particularly through the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and Zambia Railways.
He said the ministry should ensure that locomotives were operational and that goods began moving on rail to reduce pressure on the country’s roads.
“TAZARA must move, goods should start moving on rails so that roads are saved. Zambia Railways must kick off,” Hichilema said.
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