By MAYA NTANDA –
MUFULIRA Municipal Council (MMC) has approved the construction of a dry port at a cost of K1million to curb illegal parking of trucks around town.
The dry-port to be situated in Butondo Township will be constructed using funds sourced through a loan and would facilitate and promote trade between the Copperbelt and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mufulira Mayor Thomson Ngulube said the plan for the construction of the dry-port was included in the economic development concept for the Butondo inland port and works were scheduled to commence soon.
He said construction of the facility would also ensure the smooth flow of trucks between the Copperbelt and the DRC.
“Based on our existing connections with other towns such as Chingola, Kitwe, Ndola and Mokambo border with the DRC, the dry-port to be constructed will have the potential for development into a major multi-modal logistic centre,” he said.
Mr Ngulube said the illegal parking of trucks had become a source of concern for most residents who were being inconvenienced.
He also expressed worry in the manner trucks were being parked around town as it was a recipe for immorality.
Mr Ngulube said it was the council’s desire to restore sanity in Mufulira and warned that punitive measures would be taken against those that would park in the town centre after the construction of the dry-port.
