…As PS Msimuko attributes extension to Bank’s confidence in President Hichilema, Government
The Lake Tanganyika Development Project (LTDP) Steering Committee has endorsed the proposal for the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) to develop a successor phase to the Project.
The LTDP, which was born out of the Project to Support the Lake Tanganyika Integrated Regional Development Programme (PRODAP) that was financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
And the AfDB has approved a no-cost extension of the closing date of the Lake Tanganyika Development Project (LTDP) for one year up to 31 December 2023.
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Mr. John Msimuko announced the extension.
Mr. Msimuko was speaking when he Co-chaired the fifth meeting of the Lake Tanganyika Development Project Steering Committee with Mr. Bernard Mpundu, Provincial Permanent Secretary in Nsumbu, Nsama District in Northern Province.
“The No-Cost extension and the opportunity to develop a successor project is confirmation of the confidence of the African Development Bank and our development partners have in the Government of the Republic of Zambia and His Excellency the President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, the commitment of the project staff as well as the beneficiary communities and the local leadership,” Mr. Msimuko said.
The Permanent Secretary said the extension of the closing date will allow for completion of civil works including the landing jetties, fish markets and Nsumbu hospital. The extension will further allow for operationalisation of the skills training center and radio stations, among other development activities that LTDP is implementing.
He said the Project is at the core of improving the wellbeing of the people of Nsama and Mpulungu Districts, and the entire Northern Province.
Co-chair of the LTDP Steering Committee and Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bernard Mpundu, said the project has achieved many milestones. Mr. Mpundu said LTDP has facilitated the development of socio-economic infrastructure to support the well-being of the people since its inception in 2015.
LTDP has completed the construction of 10 health posts, a secondary and primary schools, teachers’ houses, provision of clean water supply systems, community forests, sustainable fisheries management.
The Project has provided funding for livelihood investments such as beekeeping, goat rearing and irrigation systems for gardening and crop diversification. LDPT is in the process of completing the construction of a youth skills training center.
