Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule has welcomed the implementation of a US$10 million project that will ride on the achievements of the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) project.

The World Bank is set to implement a US$10 million Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded grant for the Sustainable Management of Ecosystems project in Muchinga Province.

World Bank Task Team leader Ngao Mubanga says the project will be implemented in Mpika and Lavushimanda Districts in Muchinga Province at a total of not less than $10,000 000.

Ms Mubanga said this when she led staff from the World Bank to pay a courtesy call on Muchinga Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule in Mpika District.

“PS this is a Sustainable Management of Ecosystems for Miombo Ecoregion project, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant and we have been appointed as World Bank as an implementing entity,” Ms Mubanga said.

Ms Mubanga added that the World Bank is delighted that Muchinga Province has performed well in the TRALARD projects hence the addition of another project that will be riding on TRALARD.

She disclosed that the project will kick off in Mpika and Lavushimanda districts because it will focus on adaptation and biodiversity.

“So when you look at Lavushimanda, it has Lavushimanda National Park, providing the Biodiversity side and in Mpika also we have the North Luangwa National Park,” she said.

Ms Mubanga added that the stakeholders meeting is therefore important so that the activities to be conducted can be spelt out for prudent utilisation of funds.

In response, Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule said that addressing climate change and the conservation of ecosystems is among the shared principles and commitments that the government and the World Bank have.

The Permanent Secretary added that the government values the support of the World Bank in ensuring that the integrity of living biodiversity and ecosystems are maintained.

“As Muchinga Province we are very delighted that you have considered us yet again to support our communities in managing resources better,” Mr Mukungule said.

He added that the project has come at the right time so the ecosystems can be restored and maintained.

“Due to the drought, areas in the Northern region have reasonably intact Ecosystems that are now carrying the entire country in terms of food, water and energy security, as such this project has come at the right time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Environment and Natural Resources Specialist Andrew Chilombo said the stakeholders’ meeting will help in consolidating what has been achieved in the province based on TRALARD.

Mr Chilombo added that the meeting will help develop activities that will be implemented under the project.

ZANIS