By CHATULA KANGALI –

THE Zambia Army has split the Commando Unit in Ndola and formed a marine troop to be based in Kawambwa in order to stop abductions of Zambians on water bodies the country shares with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Army Commander Lieutenant-General Paul Mihova said Government had authorised the splitting of the Commando Unit and formation of a Marine Unit in Kawambwa.
He said the purpose of splitting the Commando Unit was to have a group of soldiers that will protect Zambian citizens from being abducted on the water bodies the country shares with DRC.
“Soldiers have already occupied the area, equipment has already been bought. We are just waiting for our suppliers to come and train us. Very soon the commander in chief will be launching the marine unit,” he said.
Gen Mihova said this when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge in Ndola yesterday.
The Army Commander is on the Copperbelt to interact with soldiers and explain to them what Government is doing for the defence force.
Gen Mihova added that some marine soldiers will be deployed to Lake Kariba, Zambezi River, and in Kazungula in order to protect the water bodies.
He said the Zambia Army was in the process of setting up a special school that will be training marine soldiers.
Meanwhile, Mr Musenge asked the Army Commander for the engineering squadron in Mufulira to help the provincial administration in the construction of bridges in areas which get cut off during the rainy season.
Mr Musenge said Government was spending a lot of money on private contractors that offered shoddy works.
In response, Gen Mihova said his engineering squadron was ready to help in the construction of bridges, culverts and drainages and asked the minister to go through the Ministry of Defence whenever services were required.