• THE new mall in Chililabombwe. Picture by RACKSON SHAMUTUKU

By RACKSON SHAMUTUKU –

RESIDENTS of the border district of Chililabombwe have entered a new phase of development as different types of infrastructure steadily spring up.
The district that sits on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo has expanded at a phenomenal rate, more so that for the first time, it will have a youth resource centre where young people will acquire various life skills.
The first phase of the construction works, which cost K10.5 million, has been completed and will help transform the lives of young people in the area.
Construction of Chililabombwe District Hospital at a cost of K9.7 million is also expected to be completed this month, to boost health service delivery to the people.
Recently, Shoprite opened a mall in Chililabombwe at an investment of K40 million, making it the 25th supermarket store in Zambia.
It also became Shoprite Zambia’s second wholly-owned shopping mall after the first one in Livingstone.
According to Shoprite general manager, Charles Bota, the project was put up by a Zambian contractor, Velos Enterprises Ltd, which created about 200 jobs at the construction phase of the mall. Shoprite, on its part, created 140 jobs.
The mall will offer Chililabombwe residents a fresh shopping experience, besides the various job opportunities coming their way.
It has been a rough and muddy road for most of the residents who had to travel to Chingola for shopping as Chililabombwe had limited options.
The new shopping centre will also take local suppliers and other entrepreneurs to another level because they will have an opportunity to forge profitable links with the new business houses opening up in the district.
Chililabombwe District Commissioner Stuart Chitumbo is elated and says since independence, the district has not hosted such prominent stores as Shoprite and Pick n’ Pay.
“Now with this shopping mall, Chililabombwe will grow economically and contribute to national development,” Mr Chitumbo said.
Some residents interviewed by the Copperbelt Times expressed happiness at the quick pace of development in the district.
They said it was amazing that within a short time, a lot had happened as significant infrastructure such as roads, youth resource centre and shopping mall were already in place.