•PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu yesterday launched the 48 Special Forces Marine Unit in Nchelenge District of Luapula Province. Here, President Lungu arrives for the event. Picture by ALEX MUKUKA

By NORMA SIAME –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has officially launched Zambia’s first-ever Special Forces Marine Unit designed to counter acts of aggression on the country’s territorial waters.
President Lungu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, also announced that he would be leading negotiations with potential suppliers of modern high-tech equipment befitting operations of the Special Forces.
Mr Lungu was speaking during the launch of the 48 Marine Unit in Nchelenge District of Luapula Province yesterday.
He said the creation of the unit was important as it would ensure the security of Zambia’s water bodies.
President Lungu said the deployment of the unit showed the commitment of the Government in protecting its citizens from internal and external aggression.
“This is why my Government authorised the creation of this unit and that it is manned by Special Forces. I am confident that with their presence, our people will be protected and illegal border crossing curbed. It will also ensure the effective enforcement of the fish ban,” the President said.
While he acknowledged that the new unit would face teething problems, Mr Lungu pledged to deal with the challenges and improve the well-being of military personnel.
He urged the Marine Unit to continue working with the existing infrastructure and equipment while the Government mobilised more resources to help ease operations.
Among the challenges facing the new unit were accommodation and that Government was working towards the construction of housing units and offices for the marine barracks in Kawambwa.
President Lungu expressed his thanks to the People’s Republic of China for the donation of boats which formed part of the equipment for the marines.
The 48 Marine Unit headquarters, which the President toured, is located on a 1,583 hectare piece of land spread at the former United Nations High Commission for Refugees Kala camp in Kawambwa.
Army Commander Paul Mihova and senior army officials accompanied President Lungu on Lake Mweru to test the marine equipment shortly after commandos showcased the abilities in a series of marine exercises.
The equipment includes scuba diving apparatus, Mac 5 assault boats and coast guard boats for patrol purposes.
In apparent reference to the Head of State, the lead command boat has been christened ‘The Chagwa’.
Also present at the launch were defence attaché staff accredited to Zambia from China, Tanzania and Namibia.