Chief Machiya Predicts Greater Wonders Under Second Hichilema Term

Chief Machiya of the Lamba-speaking people of Mpongwe has declared that President Hakainde Hichilema has delivered remarkable progress within a short period and will achieve far more if entrusted with a second mandate.

Speaking on Monday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Luansobe-Machiya-Ngabwe road and 20 kilometres of urban roads in Mpongwe and Ngabwe districts, the traditional leader praised the government's recognition of the Lamba people and reaffirmed Mpongwe's longstanding support for the UPND.

"We thank the president for his good vision. He has been in office for a short period of time but he has worked wonders in this country," Chief Machiya said. "We have hope that what he has delivered within a short period of time, if given a lot of time he will do more wonders."

He pointed to tangible developments already under way, including the construction of a boarding school in Machiya and a planned district hospital, a long-awaited facility for Mpongwe since it was declared a district. The chief also welcomed the building of chiefs' palaces, the creation of new constituencies, and the naming of the Mokola toll gate after a Lamba figure. He further requested that the forthcoming toll gate on the Luansobe-Mpongwe road be named after Dawson Lupunga in recognition of his contribution to the community.

"Mpongwe supported UPND from 2016 and we have continued to support the UPND government. We will continue supporting it," he said.

Minister of Infrastructure and Urban Development Charles Milupi told the gathering that President Hichilema would begin his second term from a far stronger position than his first, when he inherited an economy in recession and burdened by excessive debt.

"This time around, he is starting from a platform that will allow him to build this economy even further, to develop this country even further," Milupi said. "So I ask you here in Lamba land and elsewhere, come 13th August this year, what do we do? Salt sana."

The minister outlined the scope of the project, estimated at approximately $383.4 million under a 25-year concession arrangement comprising three years of construction and 22 years of operation and maintenance, with at least three periodic maintenance interventions planned over its lifetime. A minimum of $23.6 million has been reserved for local subcontractors, a measure Milupi described as a deliberate effort to empower Zambian firms and ensure communities benefit directly from national development.

Works will include the rehabilitation of 59.6 kilometres of the Luansobe to Mpongwe road, the construction of 132 kilometres of the Mpongwe-Machiya-Ngabwe road, four strategic bridges spanning the Kafue and Luswishi rivers, two six-lane toll plazas, weigh-in-motion weighbridges, and smart fibre infrastructure to support intelligent transport systems and digital connectivity.