RESIDENTS of Nkana have a reason to smile after Kitwe City Council handed over a motor grader and water bowser worth K6 million, procured under the 2026 Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to improve road infrastructure in the area.
According to the council’s Public Relations Unit, the equipment was officially commissioned on 28th July 2026, during a colourful ceremony held at City Square attended by senior government officials, council leadership and community representatives.
Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Lawrence Mwanza graced the event as Guest of Honour. He was accompanied by Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Kennedy Kalunga, Kitwe District Commissioner Oncemore Ngonomo, members of the Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDFC), and representatives of Ward Development Committees from across Kitwe.
Speaking at the handover, Mwanza said the procurement of the equipment was a direct response to the road challenges facing Nkana.
“The equipment will address critical challenges relating to road infrastructure in Nkana Constituency. The motor grader would enhance road maintenance and improve accessibility while the water bowser would support road works, water supply interventions and emergency response,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary noted that poor road networks have for years affected the movement of goods and services in growing areas of Nkana, and that the new equipment will help change that.
Mwanza further stated that the investment reflects government’s resolve to ensure CDF delivers tangible results at community level.
“This investment demonstrates government’s commitment to ensuring that increased CDF resources translate into visible and meaningful development at community level. The procurement is also in line with government’s decentralisation agenda, which empowers communities to identify and address their own development priorities,” said Mwanza.
Since the increase in CDF allocations, constituencies across the country have been identifying and implementing projects such as roads, schools, health posts and youth empowerment based on local needs.
In his welcoming remarks, Kitwe Town Clerk Dr Patrick Kambita welcomed the new assets, saying they will significantly improve the Council’s capacity to deliver road works.
“This equipment will strengthen the Council’s capacity to maintain existing roads and open up roads in newly developing areas. The Council will ensure the equipment is properly managed, maintained and utilised for the benefit of the community,” said Dr Kambita.
He noted that with the grader, the council will be able to grade and open up roads in peri-urban and newly settled areas that have previously been difficult to access during the rainy season.
Nkana Constituency CDFC Chairperson Conly Munji, in a vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to government for increasing CDF and allowing communities to decide on priority projects.
“We commend government for increasing the CDF allocation. This move has given citizens greater opportunity to drive development in their communities. The increased CDF has enabled communities to identify projects based on their most pressing needs and participate more meaningfully in local development. The people of Nkana identified road maintenance and water supply support as urgent needs, which is why the funds were channelled towards the grader and water bowser,” said Munji.
The Council described the handover as a major step in improving service delivery at grassroots level.
“The handover marks another milestone in government’s efforts to promote grassroots development and improve service delivery through the Constituency Development Fund,” stated the Council.
With the rainy season approaching, residents and motorists in Nkana are hopeful that the grader and water bowser will help keep roads motorable and support emergency water supply in parts of the constituency.
