Australia affirms support to Zambia
By Own Correspondent – Australian government says it would continue support the Zambian people by compliment President Lungu’s administration towards a successful implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
The support was coming into the country through various empowerment projects bordering on the talking pointes indicated in the national development plan as provided by the government. According to Mrs. Morrison who was in the country on a mission to assess projects in Zambia and Malawi said her government was inspired to extend its willing support to the country in a systematic way by engaging with beneficiaries as they were the intended stakeholders in the development agenda.
Kate Morrison project officer Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia said through the non-governmental organisation her government was in the process of supporting projects in the country with a financial support in excess of Aus. $350 000 for projects running from 2017-19.
“We are making stride efforts to compliment the government adapt to climate change by implanting community projects that provides communities with alternatives solutions that addresses environmental challenges. These projects are aimed at addressing food at household names. “This is a step by step approach to help build blocks towards improving nutrition levels and productivity in the people’s lives,” she said.
She said her organisation was playing a critical role towards integrating people living with disabilities as it was one key component her organisation was emphasising on to its members. “It has been priority that we see to it that the befitting people with disabilities were afforded an equal opportunity. “Women and children have always been vulnerable in our communities by availing these projects our passion to create an equal opportunity is satisfied.
“As a development agent in Zambia we are fully complying with governing terms provided and appreciate the manifesto and the 7NDP which by all means we are seeking to ensure that we are a part of through our contributions and efforts,” explained Mrs Morrison. But the people of Mphomwa village were divided over ownership of the project, citing that those liable to lead and collaborate with the people were the one befitting.
The aggrieved villagers said they were frustrated out of the project after working hard towards making the land arable. “We had the courage to clear the bush areas, but later we were told that the projects had no funding to continue so there was need for people to find alternative places to run other projects,” said one elderly lady who requested not to be named. In a separate interview, another person who was involved in the planting of the now flourishing banana tree said, “At the time the project was starting, were neglecting our fields to attend to this project only to be disappointed.
“The unfortunate part is that those responsible of leading the projects have since turned it into a family projects and much of the project managers who came in from Australia were lied to ensure that they benefit.” Meanwhile the villagers have since requested that the project leadership in Mphomwa be audited and be meant to provide truthful data to the donor.
