DEFENCE Minister Ambrose Lufuma has commissioned the 32 earth moving equipment procured by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) at approximately K37 million.
The equipment consists of nine excavators, 14 tipper trucks, seven compactors and two water bowsers.
Speaking when he commissioned the equipment at ZNS Land Development Branch in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Lufuma was impressed that ZNS was responding to President Hakainde Hichilema’s policy direction that all defence wings should ensure that during peacetime, they assisted in developing the nation through various projects.
He said the Government placed on top of its agenda, social and economic development hence making the procurement of the earth moving machinery timely.
The minister said the Government was in a hurry to leverage the skills set endowment of ZNS, its military discipline and commitment to duty to significantly improve the nation’s feeder roads, dams and airstrip infrastructure.
He said the road construction would also open up markets for agriculture as the defence wings strive to ensure that the nation was food secure.
And ZNS Commander Maliti Solochi said the assorted earth-moving equipment were procured using internally generated funds.
Lieutenant General Solochi also reiterated his appeal to the local authorities countrywide to consider partnering with ZNS so that development could be delivered in their respective localities.
“We remain relentless in our efforts to continue mobilising and channeling generated resources to the steady procurement of modern and efficiency- promoting machinery,” he said.
Gen Solochi said ZNS builder’s brigade now boasted of professionally qualified and tested engineers who were able to provide any drawings and put up any type of modern structure to the satisfaction of a wide range of clientele.
Meanwhile, Gen Solochi said ZNS was committed to transform into a complete construction package that Zambians and the business community could confidently utilise to undertake any earth works as well as construct any commercial or domestic structures for them.
