Zambia Gets US$38M Climate Change Loan From ADB

By Paul Shalala in Choma

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda was ton Wednesday in Itezhi-Tezhi and Choma Districts to sign a gloan agreement with the African Development Bank on Climate Change.

Mr Chikwanda, who landed in Itezhi-Tezhi on Wednesday morning, held a meeting with stakeholders at the Itezhi Tezhi District Council Chamber.

He was briefed by the stakeholders that phase two of the Zambia Strengthening Climate Change Resilience Project will greatly benefit the people in the three provinces where it will be implemented.

Some of the stakeholders who welcomed the climate change project were the Zambia Worldlife Authority, the Road Development Agency and the District Administration.

Mr Chikwanda told the meeting that the Project is part of government's resolve to better people's lives.

Later, the Minister flew to Choma for the actual signing ceremony.

Mr Chikwanda and African Development Bank Resident Representative Dr Freddie Kwesiga signed the US$38 million loan.

The five year project is expected to implement community led initiatives that will benefit over 800 rural farmers in nine districts of Central, Southern and Lusaka Provinces.

The project will mainly focus on the Kafue Sub-Basin but it will be extended to as far places as Chibombo, Mumbwa and Choma.

Over 127 kilometers of roads are also expected to be constructed to help farmers transport their goods to nearby markets.