By SYLVIA MWEETWA –

CENTRAL Province Police chief Standwell Lungu has paid tribute to a local company for constructing detention cells at Mkushi Police station at a cost of K130,000.
Due to lack of holding cells at Mkushi police station, authorities had been keeping suspects at the inquiries desk and Mkushi Prison.
Mr Lungu who was speaking after receiving the block of women and male cells in Mkushi described the donation from Choobe Agri-Vision, a local company, as exceptional.
He said the donation marked a historical milestone considering that Mkushi police station had never had detention cells from the time it was constructed in the late 1950s.
He challenged other companies to emulate the gesture by Choobe Agri-Vision adding that the role in fighting crime required the involvement of both the public and the police.
He said  previously, the suspects were being kept at the inquiries desk which was not safe for police officers on duty and the public and that the donation would also boost the morale of officers who worked with operational challenges.
Choobe Agri-Vision General Manager Derrick Nicolle said the company was committed to making a difference in an area it operates.
Mr Nicolle said the company spent K130,000 to construct the police cells as a way of giving back to the community.
He further paid tribute to the police in the area for its hard work in maintaining law and order in ensuring lives and property are protected.