Angola-Zambia Trade Link Soon to be Actualised

Dr Elijah Muchima, the Member of Parliament for Ikelenge, has announced the government's dedication to enhancing trade between Zambia and Angola via the Jimbe border post located in the North-western Province.

Muchima, who also serves as a Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, provided reassurance that the initiative to establish a pipeline, railway, and road connection between Zambia and Angola through Ikelenge district remains active and is anticipated to be actualised soon.

During the handover of road construction equipment worth over K 1.4 million, acquired through the Constituency Development Bank (CDF), Muchima urged the CDF committee in Ikelenge to make use of the equipment effectively. He also urged the local authorities in the Ikelenge district to relocate the border town to incentivise increased investment.

“Very soon Jimbe border post will have a pipeline and rail line passing through it as a connection between Zambia and Angola, Ikelenge district will benefit from this investment that will transform life in Ikelenge,” Muchima told reporters.

Dr. Muchima also encouraged the leadership of the Ikelenge Town Council to align their initiatives with the government's goal of enhancing trade between Zambia and Angola via the Jimbe border post.

Likewise, Joe Chizuza, the Chairperson of the Ikelenge Town Council, who accepted the new TLB Front-hoe loader machine on behalf of the local administration, committed to revitalizing Ikelenge's appearance and ensuring the designated use of the equipment.

Chizuza stated that “the bad state of roads in our constituency will be a thing of the past, we will ensure that this brand-new equipment is used for its intended purpose which is to deliver development to the people of Ikelenge”.

Additionally, the CDF Committee Chairperson Albetina Chitundu has commended President Hakainde Hichilema for his continued support to local authorities countrywide through the CDF as the government’s flagship development programme.

“The TLB Front-hoe loader machine which we have procured at a cost of K1.4 million is equivalent to the CDF we were entitled to previously, but with increased CDF we can do much more and procure useful equipment and still remain with some money for other programmes,” she said.

Ms. Chitundu added that the committee will ensure that urgent programmes such as feeder roads are worked on to facilitate the movement of goods and services between Zambia and Angola through Jimbe.