“A Landmark to the Center’s Extra Own Purchased Heavy Duty Truck”
LUSAKA
Wednesday: 20th March, 2024
The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTs) has put special emphasis on skills development alongside careerrelated programmes in the Country to support professional driving training skills, and other programmes, because of the important role which drivers and road transport play in the supply chain to equip economic development of the Country says Minister Felix Mutati.
Represented by the Ministry Director of Finance Chikatizio Musonda, the Minister said the demonstrated partnership (dating back 2008) has scored strides in the history of training institutions in the ministry tangibly achieving asset acquisition, staff capacity building, and project implementation.
The Minister said the center (ITC) is not only receiving the donated Two heavy duty truck by TransAid but also in a unique way contributing a piece of equipment by acquisition using its internal generated funds hence an important development for the ministry because of the value that Government attaches to skills development and youth empowerment.
The Minister was gratified and commended ITC to purchase its own heavy duty truck through a largest portion of proceeds of CDF skills funds realized from enrolled numbers of students hence making remarkable progress.
He said ITC is the most strategically placed institution under MoTs serving various industries in the Country with skills development needs but also to great interest of the occasion appreciating the road transport industry knowing that Zambia relies heavily on its road transport network for freight and passenger movements amidst challenges of road transport related deaths recorded as greatest after Malaria and HIV Aids, hence the Country needs a safe public road system that cannot be achieved without paying attention to driver training and attitude change through specialized training.
The Minister said the Three heavy duty vehicles will add some book value to training of truck drivers an achievement worth commended.
He commended TransAid for the support rendered to ITC through capacity building and donation of vehicles.
The Minister said Government is committed supporting the provision and acquisition of training in the TEVET institutions.
He urged truckers and bus operators to recognize their huge responsibility to achieve the safety transport system in Zambia hence called on them (transporters) to be proactive for the safety of people.
And Industrial Training Centre (ITC) Executive Director Lloyd Mbasela he was grateful that the Three launched training vehicles where a milestone that will help impact skills in industry and remain relevant in making programmes successful in driver training. He commended Government for the CDF and TEVET skills funds that have been a great relief on the institution’s operations.
TransAid Representative Fidelia Mwaba was delighted to hand over Two well – equipped trucks for professional driver’s training to ITC as a result of an Eighteen-year strong partnership grown on addressing road safety standards through relevant training. She said TransAid believes, an international organisations, in transforming lives and sustainable transport and providing road safety training.
Ms Mwaba explained that TransAid, based in the United Kingdom, is supported by Thirty – Three cooperating partners some who are amongst those that donated the Two trucks. She believed the donated trucks will enhance on training and encourage more potential trainees to acquire driver skills and saftey training.
Giving his remarks Industrial Training Center Board Chairperson Professor Fred Yamba said through the continuous support from TransAid, it has eased ITC’s mandate to equip the intuitions with training equipment that consequently is a landmark that will enhance capacity and train increasing safety of roads an experience and support through international linkages, equal knowledge, skills and experience provided by TransAid hence ITC becoming a competitive training provideR not only in Zambia but equally in the Sub Region.
