By SYLVIA MWEETWA –
GOVERNMENT has said the state-of-the-art mechanical workshop being built for the Zambia Prisons Service at a cost of K700, 000 will reduce the cost of repairing motor vehicles.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Stephen Kampyongo said once completed, the first ever workshop will prolong the life-span of vehicles belonging to the Zambia Prisons Service.
Mr Kampyongo said the money spent every year to repair broken down Zambia Prison Service motor vehicles could be channelled to other equally important developmental projects within the service.
He said the workshop would in the long run also ease the transport blues which hamper the Prison Service from availaing inmates for court appearances, thereby causing conjestion in most correctional facilities countrywide.
Mr Kampyongo, who was speaking when he toured the facility in Kabwe, was accompanied by Commissioner of prisons Percy Chato, Kabwe Central Member of Parliament James Kapyanga and his Bwacha counterpart Sydney Mushanga.
The deputy minister said he was happy with the works done so far and appealed to the Zambia Prisons command to continue with sustainable projects that would uplift the standards of the service.
“I am happy that you came up with such a project of constructing a workshop of this multitude because it would earn you some money which would have been used to repair the motor vehicles considering that a lot of money is currently been spent, “he said.
He said the setting up of the workshop was another step in the right direction considering that it was the first time such a facility was been put up since the construction of prison during the colonial time.
Mr Chato said the works on the workshop which commenced in February this year would be completed before the end of the year.
He said the installation works were being carried out by Auto World who have a high reputation in the industry, adding the choice of Auto World was to ensure that quality works would be carried out at the workshop.
Mr Chato commended the Government for its continued support to the Zambia Prison Service and pledged to ensure the funds allocated for all projects being carried out by the service are put to good use.
