Mpika, April 20, 2023. ZANIS

Mpika residents have called on the Provincial Administration in Muchinga Province to ensure works on some projects within the province are expedited if the Muchinga Expo is to yield positive results.

Residents have raised concerns over the poor state of the roads and other infrastructure in the province, expressing worry that these might affect the success of the Expo if not urgently worked on.

Musonda Chilita a Mpika resident says the state of the roads in the province needs agent attention if investors are to come and invest in any of the districts in the Province.

He mentioned the Great North Road on a stretch between Serenje to Mpika via Chinsali as a matter of agency that needs to be worked on before the Muchinga Expo.

“If the government cannot put a permanent measure on this road, the Road Development Agency (RDA) can consider patching the worst areas as well as those other roads in some districts,” he said.

And another resident Daina Mazwaba has called on the hospitality industry to improve their services.

Ms Mazwaba says the province will receive many dignitaries hence, the need for those in the hospitality industry to improve their standards.

She also called on the Government to see how the solar milling plants owned by cooperatives will benefit from the Muchinga Expo.

And Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule, who is on a tour of some districts in the province to sensitise various stakeholders on the first-ever Muchinga Expo, has called upon stakeholders to own and actively drive the hosting of the investment forum and expo.

Mr Mukungule says there is a need for various stakeholders in Mpika District to drive the agenda of the expo by raising awareness and packaging the investment potentials available in their district.

“You need to own this important activity which will bring development in your area,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary also says the province will take advantage of the expo by establishing the provincial museum that will contain information and other collections, related to the liberation movement owing to the fact that the province has a bigger history as regards to the struggle for independence.

He further urged stakeholders in Mpika District to start identifying and collecting objects as well as information that can be stored in the provincial museum.

Mr Mukungule further thanked Mpika residents who turned up in large numbers for attending the Expo sensitisation meeting where issues that will drive the development initiative, resulting in a self-sustaining local economy in line with the Vision 2030, were discussed.

“It is my sincere hope that after this meeting, awareness will be raised and our citizens will actively participate in preparing for this important national event aimed at transforming the economy of the province,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary was yesterday in Mpika District where he held meetings with various stakeholders to sensitize them on the Muchinga Expo slated for October this year.