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Infrastructure of border post on Zambian side embarrassing – Mpombo

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DEFENCE minister George Mpombo (with bottle) with north western province permanent secretary Jeston Mulnado when he inspect infrastructure at Kipushi border in Solwezi
DEFENCE minister George Mpombo (with bottle) with north western province permanent secretary Jeston Mulando when he inspect infrastructure at Kipushi border in Solwezi

Defence Minister George Mpombo has called for the improvement of infrastructure at Kipushi border post in Solwezi.

Mr. Mpombo said it was embarrassing to have ram shackled infrastructure on the Zambian side, while the Congolese side has very modern infrastructure.

He urged departments operating at the border to work hand in hand with the Provincial Administration in improving the existing infrastructure.

Mr. Mpombo said this when he toured Kipushi border post in Solwezi today. He was accompanied by the Deputy Army Commander, Major General Mutwale, Commissioner of Police, Willies Manjimela, North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Jeston Mulando and other senior security officers both from the

Defence minister George Mpombo (l) with Jeston Mulando at Kipushi border
Defence minister George Mpombo (l) with Jeston Mulando at Kipushi border

Ministry of Defence Headquarters and the province.

He also called for the beefing-up of the manpower at the border post to curb smuggling, especially now that Solwezi has become a hive of activities due to the economic boom in the district.

Mr. Mpombo said smuggling at Kipushi border post is rampant because of lax control due to inadequate manpower and the porousness of the border area.

The Minister also cautioned the government departments operating at the border post to avoid being compromised by their Congolese counterparts just because the water and electricity they use comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He urged the North-Western Province Permanent Secretary to find a lasting solution to the problems of the officers not being supplied with water and electricity from the Zambian side at the border. In response, Mr. Mulando said there are plans to tap water from the Kafue River about 15 kilometres away because sinking a borehole has yielded nothing as underground water has been drained by mining activities going in nearby Kipushi town in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr. Mulando further said government was planning to renovate the structures at the border post next year, adding that the focus for this year is to improve the infrastructure at Jimbe and Kamapanda border posts and the opening of a new one at Kambimba in Mwinilunga.

He appealed to the Minister and the Ministry of Home affairs to support the 2010 provincial budget in order to achieve some of the planned programmes for that year.

On water, Mr. Mulando said, as an interim measure, government introduced water harvesters at the border post but those were only reliable during the rain season when heavy rains are received.

On staffing levels, Mr. Mulando said the workforce was small as a result of suspension and charge cases affecting some officers and the transfer of others.

He said the Provincial Administration was making arrangements with the Ministry of Home Affairs to have some more officers sent to the border post to fill the gap.

Speaking earlier, Regional Immigration Officer, Hachibamba Munamonga told the Minister that Kipushi border was the busiest border post in the province recording the highest revenue collection, seconded by Kamapanda in Mwinilunga.

He said the problems they were facing were inadequate staffing resulting in a number of illegal entries, lack of water, inadequate transport and the place has seen no rehabilitation of the infrastructures for a long time now.

ENDS/WN/PK/ZANIS

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

157 COMMENTS

  5. Borders are imaginary lines drawn by imperialists anyway why bother. It is not like theres a huge line in the sky denoting you have crossed into congo

  7. I want to see the Congolese side !! LT am waiting!! For as long as I do not know how the Congolese side looks like I say, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WHAT I SEE!!!!b-)

    ARE THOSE :(|)

  8. What a Shame. Ala this year LT will show us alot about how this country has been poorly managed. MMD has failed us.

  11. @ Shalapungu Banton

    YOU ARE RIGHT !! and it has been the reason of all these Civil Wars!! African Leaders should make this a Big Issue!! No more GAZA in Africa!!! Please

  13. it can be embarrassing looking at the monies you put in your pockets. its indeed shamefull coz if you are told that it only costs just your one sitting allowance for you to do it then you can be embarrased..

  15. What does he expect when he can’t pump funds into rehabiliation, it will continue to be an embarrassment until its broken down and something else built in its place, ala shame and of all things to be compared to DRC, atase, fix up! [-(

  16. What is embarrassing about the boarder post that Mpombo has seen today? This post has been there since I don’t know. Mpombo should also go to Masaiti where KK appointed him governor and see if what is obtaining there isn’t more embarrassing like this boarder post

  18. In a normal functioning Goverment, the Provincial Administration would all have been sacked for gross negligence of duties.
    Only in Africa does such willfull obrogation of duty goes unanswered.
    They should have been pestering GRZ for upgrades.

  20. “Mr. Mulando further said government was planning to renovate the structures at the border post next year, adding that the focus for this year is to improve the infrastructure at Jimbe and Kamapanda border posts and the opening of a new one at Kambimba in Mwinilunga.”

    Zambians, I am urging us all to petititon President RB Banda’s Administation to consider reducing the allowances and salaries they approved for themselves in the past few days just allow for channelling of their salaries and allowances to build a modern border post at Kipushi with habitable facilities including basics like clean water.

    This picture of things in the news item is really a shame!

  21. This just shows that these Institutions have no proper Agenda!! Someone should be made accountable and not just addressing the workers!! Who is the head of the Provicial Administration? Let him Answer these Questions!!

    Why didnt he accompany Mr Mpondo? Mpondo should mention Names and not just an Andmistration!!

    This again shows :-@:-@:-@

  22. to #19 Sarah Jones.

    No one could have put it better in so few ords. I think we can even stop commenting now. That statement pretty much summed up this article!

  23. to #19 Sarah Jones.

    No one could have put it better in so few words. I think we can even stop commenting now. That statement pretty much summed up this article

  24. As far as my logic tells, all borders belong to the immigration department which in turn is a wing of the Ministry of Home affairs. It is therefore laughable to hear a government official using the common man’s language in condemning the infrastracture as if to mean that it is not GRZ’s responsiblity to better the infrastracture. For Christ’s sake, in which century are we? # 3, Sarah Jones…I too did laugh, just to answer your query.

  25. Surprise, surprise! Mr Mpombo has just found out the state of Kipushi border post. And to call for its improvement? Well just get on with it and do it. You’re the govt after all.

  26. #20 Maestro Hhehhehhehhe, if I were President of Zambia, I would resign from Presidential Office if Kipushi Border Post was not face-lifted in exactly one month from today when I have seen such news.
    This piece of news and its attendant photos is the most sad revelation I have seen and read today. I am really annoyed, but I very sad about this state of affairs.
    LT thumbs up for if I saw such pictures on BBC or CNN I would have thought that the International Media is biased.
    Can the MMD GRZ be serious! To you all citizens, please start informing you relatives how they will have to VOTE in 2011 by contacting them. We cant afford to Ministers and Presidents getting huge sums as wages …. w

  27. #26 Maestro Hhehhehhehhe cont’d.
    We cant afford to Ministers and Presidents getting huge sums as wages… while they have no concern for our security as a country. How do you rely on electricity and water from a Neighbouring country’s border at your own border when you have to check characters that are passing through from the country that supplies you with things. Someone said,’you dont bite the finger that feeds you’ and surely how do you expect our Immigration and Police officers to behave at that place when their survival is threatened if they dont compromise with those that give stuff basics of life?
    I’ll end here for now,but please MMD GRZ,remember you have been 17 yrs in GRZ power now.

  28. A picture speaks a thousand words…..sad though that this is the state of most border posts in Zambia…where has Mpombo been to realise this today??:-?

  30. #29
    These faggot in the picture are even supprized when deep down there heart they know they are the root of the cause.

  31. Its not just Kipushi, The Zambian side in Chirundu and Kazungula looks the most disorganised. Its the only side that has a lot of human habitation, funny structures, delays of sorts

  34. This week Washington DC has been buzzing with activity. It is expected that 2-4 million people will descend upon the city next Tuesday. inaugural celebratory functions start this Friday. 8000 Coaches are expected to bring half a million people into town. Also, there will be 8,000 policemen on patrol. Several roads will be closed off for the week. It all very interesting. By the way temperature will be slightly above freezing point.

  35. Imwe ba The Washingtonian

    What the hell has that got to do with this smelly Border of ours?

    Stop dreaming!!! This matter is serious!! Nothing to do with Obama Land Iwe. [-x

  37. Mpombo, dont be suprised by that border, to me much the all country look like a ghetto . Just restructure the country.

  38. thats why zambia should be on ebay so someone can bid and maybe hope the winner can build proper structures,elo ifi efimbusu fya ba buju na immigration officers. zambia twasebana….ZAMBIA FOR SALE….PRICE NEGOTIABLE.

  39. Jamaco

    Iam just praying that none on my south african fellow student will see the Ka picture otherwise nshakalande,the chaps here are very funny they always ask me this silly question ati”how is south africa compared to Zed.” you know its support your local team so I always say Pa zed ni zee.So Iam worried if they see our border post awe Ndimucibe. 8-}8-}8-}8-}8-}8-}8->8->8->8->8->8->8->8-}8->

  40. Supergal
    How are you?

    How much is the price? Ala sister wandi you make my day.Tell me,is it one of your new years resolution to crack pipo’s ribs? :-j:-j:-j:-j:-j:-j

  42. Supergal.

    elo ifi efimbusu fya ba buju na immigration officers. :-j:-j:-j:-j:-j.I like this part.:-j:-j:-j:-j:-j:-j

  45. @ Mat

    Awe this Border thing is not easy to categorise!!! How the hell do you leave a boarder in that State!!
    Do Human Beings cross this border or Elephants?

    Awe the moment I reach a border like that one; it is not a question of crossing.. I just turn back!! How do u enter per Zed thru that Border for the first time and expect good structures ahead. Pls do something.

  48. Martworld i cant even tell you the price at first i thought biding would help but after consultation i discovered that this border post is among the best top ten then i said to my self we can negotiate as long as we part away with a bit of money than give ba chocholi…since we have failed to run the country limbi bambi ukuti baeshako

  54. Jamaco bling bling! :d:d:d:d

    You may be right. I hear the government in Kinshasa doesn`t even know they share the border with Zambia.:d:d

  56. =))=))=))=))=))=))=)) Mat you are a crazy one iwe!! I will wake up the neighbours by laughing so loud!!! :-t I will explode!! Leka Iwe =))=))=))=))=))=))

  62. @ Mat

    Iwe leka nomba!!

    As for the rest

    Imwe Bloggers MWALALA 😕 OR ARE YOU ON THE FRONT PAGE OF LT WAITING TO BE NUMBER l-) JUST WAIT AND SEE!!! U WILL BE PERPLEXED!! JAMACO RUN TINGS!!!

  63. Jamaco
    Naumfwa Mudala,Lelo LT yesu only the two of us.Iam missing Chewe imwe mwe bantu.Chewe Chewe where are you?

  66. @Mat
    This Chewe thing is big Imwe!! How are we going to handle it? Chewe said stuff yesterday .. it was too much!! He needs a break at least for today. If this guy does not show up mailo.. I will start a Revolution Imwe!! But even ba Maestro is quiet today. Hmmmm 😕

  85. Its about time ba LT posted something new!! I still want to see the other side of this Border!!

    LT Flip the Coin and show me Congo Border side!! I bet ni Bling Bling!! Me am Curious!! Does anybody habe Pics ? We just can not be laughing at the Zed Pics without knowing what is on the other Side Imwe!! This is not the way!! Awe Nakana Ine :-t

  87. Jamaco

    Congo Ni disaster,Imagine aba soldier pa border no boots,they only wear tropicals.This is true story mudala I use pedicle Road when going to see my Mum.

  92. Jamaco

    Mu June mudala ndi pa Zed.Nakuno niku bondi ayi.ala internet chintu especially ngaili mu bondi no one to question you.

  94. I am sorry but this Mpombo, Mulongoti, ah, where did they come from and what are their qualifications. To me, these two are so dull that I don’t even know whether I would ever call them Honourable in my life. Surely, just like I stopped calling FTJ president after 1996, I will with immediate effect stop calling these two honourable. They are not worth any responsibilities even in a very small village. They simply don’t inspire even a fly.

  96. @ 91 Mirriam

    leka ubufu iwe!! Chewe aposa everything he had yesterday!! I will not believe this until I see it with my own eyes!!

    You have the same Flag so 😕 DONT TRICK US !!! ME AND MAT ARE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE!! SO THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU TAKE US FOR A RIDE!!!

  98. Awe ndeseka fye shabeshiba nama ba Chewe abo. I just see his (made my own word=> “Tantrumatic” blogging, ama BP pali Sata

  99. I hope its not :^o otherwise I will call it a day. Kaili 3 minutes before Midnight kuno and I will sleep only for 6 hours!! Will continue Blogg ku nchito!! But 7 Minutes is not much.

  102. I knew it.. anyways I am not surprised!! Good Shot ba Mirriam!! But when is LT posting something New? MAT do you know?

    Ine …Hmmmm

  108. Jamaco
    No Idea mudala wandi lets hope it will be soon,but you have to promise that tawancinge bu nambala wanu.

  117. FIFA rankings
    Last Updated 14 Jan 2009Next Release 11 Feb 2009Ranking Zonal Ranking Team Pts
    Jan 09
    14 1 Cameroon
    15 2 Egypt
    17 3 Nigeria
    25 4 Ghana
    27 5 Côte d’Ivoire
    38 6 Guinea
    41 7 Morocco
    43 8 Mali
    45 9 Tunisia
    50 10 Senegal
    62 11 Gabon
    62 12 Burkina Faso
    64 13 Algeria
    67 14 Angola
    68 15 Uganda
    70 16 Congo
    74 17 South Africa
    75 18 Gambia
    76 19 Zambia
    78 20 Libya
    84 21 Kenya

  118. Ba Mat opomuchili? Wala lelo incase ba Chewe shows up?

    Back to the border issue.I found this on funding for Chirundu border. So nishi monies are there:

    The Zambian government said it has collected funds for the improvement of infrastructure at its Chirundu border post, Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande said a total of 120 billion kwacha (30 million U.S. dollars) have been spent to renovate the post. Magande said the border post would be equipped with scanning equipment to relieve the burden of staff in charge of searching. The minister also revealed that he would inspect rehabilitation work on the Kafue-Chirundu road

  120. The Zambian government has planned to provide 2 billion kwacha (400,000 dollars) in aid to Zimbabwe. The aid is towards support of more than 1,700 cholera deaths. The aid will assist patients from Zimbabwe in border areas with drugs and foods. Zambian President Rupiah Banda was born in Zimbabwe. Ministry of Health spokesman Cannisius Banda told a private radio programme that traffic from neighbouring Zimbabwe and poor water and sanitation systems, mainly in Zambia’s peripheral urban areas have contributed to the spread of the water-borne disease.Zambia has lost 32 people due to cholera deaths. WHAT EFFECT DO THINK THIS WILL HAVE? BE REAL RB? THESE PEOPLE DONT APPRECIATE!!!

  121. The MMD has simply failed. 17 wasted years for Zambia.

    2011 Vote The Citizens Demoratic Party. CDP Putting People First
    2011 Vote The Citizens Demoratic Party. CDP Putting People First
    2011 Vote The Citizens Demoratic Party. CDP Putting People First
    2011 Vote The Citizens Demoratic Party. CDP Putting People First
    2011 Vote The Citizens Demoratic Party. CDP Putting People First
    2011 Vote The Citizens Demoratic Party. CDP Putting People First
    2011 Vote The Citizens Demoratic Party. CDP Putting People First

  122. #121, define which people, it could be the same Tetas and Mulongoti. They are also people and they are putting themselves FIRST. Be careful with such sweeping statements.

  123. I need a govt that will define in clear steps what the areas of human endeavour are:
    How they will be delivered to each citizen and what each citizen should do with govt to benefit from such a system. Make people feel they are part of their own country and not slaves in their own country. I hate handouts and I believe most hard working Zambians hate handouts but want to be given an opportunnity to earn a living. If you want a comprehensive paper on what govt we need in Zambia, I promise you I can deliver it in less than two pages. Challenge me if you support SATA and I will show you that Zambia can positively change. I have done it at family level and institutional level so I am no bluff

  124. All these years, where was Mpombo to notice now that some border posts need a facelift? He is simply out of touch. These are just doing things at random. The other day it was Teta talking about upgrading townships. What the hell is going on?

  125. # 122. Which part of CDP Puttting People First Don’t you understand? I think I understand what CDP is talking about, thats how come I can proudly amplify it on this forum.

  127. impombo is talking!!he doesn’t see the buidings we’ve in zed!!
    i don’t why he’s asking coz he steal the money.Nowonder ni mpobo ya mu bush.

  129. I went to that place you are calling “Border post”. I thought the guys “Police” whom we found there were guarding farm for minister Tetamashimba? I am very confused! 😮 Next to that “Police office” is a storage room for Teta’s farm produce. I never saw anyone closing that border, the all 6 hours we spent there loading goats for resale.:o

  132. …very true indeed. starting from the badly torn Zambian flag you get to see first when approaching the Zambian borders. It is painfully sad

  133. …..the problem with Zambian politicians is they talk too much and just never act. How about trying the opposite. He will talk about this pathetic border today, go there in 2 years time the border will even be in a far worse standard. Please act or otherwise just shut up! :-w

  136. Please save us from fake promises Mr Mpombo.Is that thefirst time to be at a border.What i know about ministers is that they just give statements of promises just to justify their claims for subsistenc allowances.Whatever reports you give him will be sharved in the waste basket after he has gotten his allowances.Mr Sakeni toured luapula province in the year 2000 and promised to work on the building structures and water reticulation system but just go there and see what has not been done in the last 9 years.All borders in the northern,north western and luapula are pathetic and im glad im no longer part of the suffering immigration and customs officials.Mr minister go to chipungu border post.

  137. What does he expect? The failures aka leaders we’ve had in place so far can’t manage simple things. He should challenge himself not to fail like his predecessors and force a change.

  142. They collect money at the border, why not use it for renovations as opposed to sending it to Lsk for Mpombo’s beard shave?

  143. #29 and #30
    Attention LT. just raising a caution flag.
    Bloggers like these should be banned as they their presence on this blog has a big potential to ferment trouble for our mother land. Please do something. We do not need another Rwanda and |burundi

  144. l-)l-) Advice to my fellow youths.
    Guys lets just enrich ourselves with the necessary education that we need to build our mother Zambia as future leaders, rather than hoping in our selfish fathers who are in politics to make a name and get business opportunities. when they are suppose to serve the noble people of Zambia with honest,love and sacrifice. They are busy politicking when people are suffering. Lets prepare ourselves with the necessary education and learn from developed nation. thanx

  145. May be we need to change the way we do things. Can we please invite private investors in this area. Private operators can be allowed to build the infrastructure, operate it and earn from revenue. The Govt can get tax from that.

    This kind of Public Private Partnership works in other areas and in other countries. In the USA, private companies can build and run prisons. In the UK, a huge hospital is being built in Birmingham near where I live, under some form of PPP. We know of roads, sports centres etc built & run by private companies. We even have private security companies. Try this with our borders. We need solutions, Mr Mpombo.

  146. If others complain it becomes treason by inciting security wings. Ba Mpombo things have fallen apart just start repairing and improving them

  147. # 144 “…future leaders”. These political madalas will block you and by the time you are eventually a leader, you will then be as outdated as the Zambian politicians of today are. Kule fwayikako tu Zambian Obamas pa zed please :((

  148. Mpombo’s reactions are a revelation of the ‘little attention’ the government pays to Annual Reports submitted by the Immigrations Department to higher authorities. The state of each Border post (infrastracture) is well explained in each Report.

    Mwiladabwa ifyabufi ba Mpombo-Kudu-Impala? (do not pretend to be surprised…-efyo?)

  150. Doesnt it strike you as a Zambian thing?Open new borders before you work on the existing ones.Surely borders should be looked seriously since they can not only generate forex but first impressions,my mother told me, are important.Which entry point to Zambia is organised?Non at all.Lord hear our prayers for people with real interest in Zed to rule.

  151. YOU THINK ITS EMBARASSING MR MPOMBO.
    I THINK ITS A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. ITS MEAN FOR THE GOVT TO LET PEOPLE OPERATE FROM SUCH DERLICT STRUCTURES.

  155. Ba Mpombo who is to Blame? For how long have you been in government to realize that our boarder posts are a shame. You are to blame SIR?

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