President Hichilema misled on Mufulira-Mokambo road, says MP Mumba

Kantanshi Member of Parliament, Anthony Mumba, has said President Hakainde Hichilema was misled into informing Parliament that works on the dilapidated Mufulira-Mokambo road were progressing well.

The road, which connects the Copperbelt to Luapula via the Pedicle road that passes through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), remains in a deplorable state, Mumba said.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday during debate on the Presidential speech delivered at the opening of the Fifth Session of Parliament, Mumba expressed disappointment that the information given did not reflect reality on the ground.

“Madam Speaker, no works [are] being undertaken on the deplorable Mufulira-Mokambo [road] despite signing the concession agreement to undertake works under the Public Private Partnership (PPP),” Mumba said.

He warned that once the rains begin, the stretch would likely become impassable, threatening economic activity given the route’s importance in linking Luapula, the DRC, Northern Province, and East African countries.

Mumba further urged government to ensure that Zambia’s improving macroeconomic indicators translated into better living conditions for ordinary citizens.

“We need to see to it that the economic gains reflect on the improved conditions of living, so that people feel the impact on the ground,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chimwemwe lawmaker Allen Banda said the touted revival of Mopani Copper Mine and other projects existed only on paper.

“In fact, instead of increasing job and business opportunities, the numbers have been dropping,” Banda said.

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