.Kampyongo

By BRIAN HATYOKA –

THE construction of the ultramodern market and the international bus terminus in Livingstone will be completed and operational by April next year, Local Government and Housing Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said.
Government had sourced K53 million to complete the remaining works of the projects.
In February 2013, Government engaged Ndilila Associates and Architects, project managers as well as GES Architects to construct the international bus terminus and the ultramodern market at a cost of K41.5 million and K28.5 million respectively in readiness for the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.
Mr Kampyongo, who visited the two projects as well as the potters market and a water project in Livingstone at the weekend, said he was determined to ensure that the ultra-modern market and the international bus terminus were completed and operational by April next year.
“We will make sure that we get the contractors back at the site and my commitment is that the two facilities should be operational before April next,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He also praised the local authority for managing to remove street vendors from the streets.
“Let us have facilities where people can do their business with dignity. That is why I am saying that I am committed to ensuring that the market is completed so that those people who have been patient with us for so long can say the council has now served us,” he said.
He said there was need to maximise on the potential which Zambia’s tourist capital had.
On cases of illegal land allocation by some councillors and other councils in the City, Mr Kampyongo said the law enforcement agencies were still investigating the matter and that those found wanting would face the wrath of the law.
He warned that there would be no sacred cows in the investigations and he would not shield anyone.
Livingstone Mayor Milford Mambo was removed from office and also suspended alongside Mosi-oa-Tunya Ward councillor Ziwa Ziwa after the two were found wanting for allegedly engaging in illegal land allocation in the Nottie Broadie area.
Livingstone acting town clerk Levis Mumba said the local authority was working to regain the lost confidence from the public.
Mr Mumba said the council would work as a team and bring back Livingstone to its past glory.
“This is the City that hosted the UNWTO General Assembly in 2013 successfully with the same staff we have today. Despite the negative media coverage, we shall work towards ensuring that the lost public confidence is restored,” Mr Mumba said.