The Vubwi Town Council has installed street lights in Chief Pembamoyo’s area, at a cost of K2.6 million.

The installation is supported under the Zambia Devolution Programme Fund (ZDSP), and aimed at enhancing security, boosting business and increasing access to healthcare during evening hours.

In an interview with ZANIS, Vubwi Town Council Secretary, Moses Mutyoka, says the council is determined to urbanise the rural district, adding that the installation of street lights is a step towards that goal.

“One of the functions of the local authority is to provide essential services to the people, as part of the regional urbanisation process,” he said.

Professor Mutyoka added that the decision to install the street lights followed extensive stakeholder consultations and engagements.

He has since appealed to residents to take keen interest in stakeholder engagement meetings describing them as key platforms for influencing developmental decisions.

The CS further called on the locals to freely engage the council, noting that it held an open door policy to allow for inclusive development.

He said this in response to some residents who contended the street lighting project, arguing that other projects could have been prioritised.

One of the residents, Debbie Zulu, argued that the local authority should have firstly constructed a road and a proper drainage system before putting up the street lights.

He said the street lights risk being damaged at the time of road construction.

Despite the concerns, Mr Zulu acknowledged the council’s efforts, commending its overall development initiative.