LIBONGANI

By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –
ELECTRICITY and water have been connected to the newly-constructed Lufwanyama Police Station making the facility ready for commissioning, Inspector General (IG) of Police Stella Libongani has said.
Ms Libongani, who was in Lufwanyama on Tuesday to check on the state of the police station expressed happiness with the facility, which she described as a marvel.
The Inspector General said with the problem of electricity and water having now been resolved, it was her intention to have the facility commissioned soon.
Ms Libongani told Lufwanyama acting District Administration Officer Daniel Lumbwe when she paid a courtesy call on the administration  that the police command would immediately start working on the staff establishment and other things such as logistics needed to have the station commissioned.
“Our intention is that by June this year, the building should be opened and I will ensure that I soon as I get to Lusaka, I begin to work on that,” Ms Libongani said.
She said the new Lufwanyama Police infrastructure was impressive because of its big size, which was enough to accommodate grade B or better still district police station.
Ms Libongani echoed concerns over the need for a fully fledged police station in Lufwanyama, saying the vast district was fast growing and as such there was need for police presence.
She said she would look into the issue of a vehicle to ensure the station had transport.
“I know one other challenge is accommodation but rest assured, the district is going to benefit from the 20, 000 housing unit projects under the Ministry of Home Affairs for security wings,” she said.
Mr Lumbwe earlier expressed concern over the escalating crime incidences which were going unabated because of the limited number of police officers and lack transport to reach far-flung areas.
He said crimes such as murder,  assault, including rape taking place in far-flung areas were  not being reported and followed up, much to the displeasure of traditional leaders of the respective chiefdoms in the district.
Later, Ms Libongani had a meeting with Chieftainess Shimukunami of the Lamba people of Lufwanyama, who also echoed the need for improved police services in the district.
The inspector general of police who was in the district to inspect police infrastructure in the country, was accompanied by Copperbelt police commissioner Joyce Kasosa, Kitwe district commanding officer Lizzy Machina and a number of senior officers from service headquarters.