MUNDUBILE, MAKEBI PLEDGE TO TRANSFORM LUAPULA

 By NATION REPORTER

BRIAN Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu have unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Luapula Province into a regional economic powerhouse, promising to rehabilitate strategic roads, revive agriculture and fisheries, unlock the province’s mineral wealth, create jobs and improve electricity supply once elected.

Addressing a rally in Nchelenge, Mr Mundubile said Luapula possessed enormous economic potential but had remained underdeveloped because of poor infrastructure, high unemployment and what he described as failed economic policies under the UPND government.

He said a NRPUP administration would prioritise investment in key economic roads, including the Mansa-Kashikishi Road and the Nchelenge-Chiengi Road, arguing that improved transport infrastructure was essential to unlocking trade, tourism, fisheries and cross-border commerce with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mr. Mundubile said better roads would also improve access to schools, health facilities, border trading centres and other essential public services while stimulating economic growth across the province.

Recognising that fishing remains the backbone of Luapula’s economy, Mr. Mundubile said his government would rehabilitate feeder roads linking fishing camps and farming communities to major markets in order to reduce transport costs, minimise post-harvest losses and increase household incomes.

And Mr. Mundubile has pledged to empower local youths through a regulated artisanal mining programme instead of treating them as criminals.

“We shall provide our young people with equipment, proper training and safer mining methods so that they can earn a decent living while protecting their lives,” he said.

He also announced that artisanal mining licences would be processed within districts instead of requiring applicants to travel to Lusaka, saying the move would reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and expand opportunities for local communities.

Mr. Mundubile further pledged that Luapula’s rich sugilite deposits would benefit the people of the province rather than a privileged few.

He said an NRPUP government would remove military personnel currently guarding the mining area and replace what he described as a security-driven approach with a regulated mining system that would enable local youths to participate legally and safely in mining activities.