Livingstone new Bus terminus be operational by April 2016

THE construction of the ultramodern market and the international bus terminus in Livingstone will be completed and operational by April 2016, Local Government and Housing Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said.

Recently, Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu said the Government had sourced K53 million to complete the remaining works for the two 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 on Saturday, said he was determined in ensuring 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 on site and my commitment is that two facilities should be operational before April next,” Mr Kampyongo said.

He also praised the Livingstone City Council 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 saved 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 council in the City, Mr Kampyongo said the law enforcement agencies were still investigating the matter and that those found wanting would meet the wrath of the law.

He warned that there would be no sacred Cows in the investigations and he would not shield anyone.

The Minister has since suspended all land allocation transactions and pending mayoral election until the investigations into claims of illegal land allocations were concluded.

Livingstone Mayor Milford Mambo was removed from office and also suspended alongside Musi-oa-tunta ward councillor Ziwa Ziwa after the two were found wanting for engaging in illegal land allocation in Nottie Broadie area.

And 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 the 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.

Acting Livingstone Mayor Fred Sikazwe said that it was a natural phenomenon for a parent to rebuke a wayward child.

Livingstone Member of Parliament Lawrence Evans said it was a sad development that Mr Kampyongo was visiting Livingstone in the backdrop of illegal land cases.

“Not to long ago, the Head of State His Excellence President Edgar Lungu was here in Livingstone at Chrismar Hotel where he cautioned councillors against engaging in illegal land allocation.

“As councillors, we should handle ourselves and dedicate ourselves to serving the people of Livingstone, but I think we have had a lot of short comings,” Mr Evans, who is also Livestock and Fisheries Deputy Minister, said.