. Lungu

By SAM PHIRI –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said he is impressed that the Government’s agenda to extend infrastructure development to rural areas is already taking shape, with individuals heeding positively to his call.

The President said in an interview that it was gratifying to know that people understood his agenda aimed at opening up rural areas with modern infrastructure that would enhance social and economic development in the country.

The Head of State was commenting on a Lusaka-based business executive, Suzyo Nyika, who has single-handedly commenced construction of a multimillion 2,000-seater capacity state-of-the-art cathedral in Lundazi District.

President Lungu said he was impressed with Mr Nyika for committing huge personal sums of money to construct a multimillion ultramodern cathedral in Lundazi.

He said this was in line with his Government’s wide-ranging development agenda of concentrating development not only in urban areas, but all parts of the country, including rural areas.

“Most rural parts of the country have for a long time remained underdeveloped and for a man from Lusaka to go and put up such a modern structure in the village is encouraging,” President Lungu said.

“We need more of such.”

Mr Lungu said apart from houses of worship, there were more areas that needed serious attention in many rural parts of Zambia such as electricity, improved road network, water supply, healthcare and

education.

President Lungu challenged the business community to take time and explore more areas of investment in the rural area.

He said the time had come for the business community and individuals to partner with the Government in opening up remote areas through infrastructure development, and that this had received a positive response.

Mr Nyika is currently putting up a two-storey ultramodern structure of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) scheduled to be completed by December this year.

The construction of most-glass design cathedral is said to have already passed the first phase with the contractor projecting that the works will be completed on schedule.

Meanwhile, CCAP Synod of Zambia general secretary Sevatt Kabaghe said the Church was overwhelmed by the gesture by Mr Nyika.

He said the new building would accommodate the current 1,200 members in one church service.

The Lundazi CCAP is currently conducting three Church services as the current structure can only accommodate up to 350 people.