05 July, 2024
President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned the Smart Village Project in Muchila Village of Namwala Village in Southern Province with a pledge that all rural areas across the country are being prioritised for development.
President Hichilema says the Smart Village Project will be replicated in all 10 provinces by Huawei Technologies to provide solar energy, phone network and internet services to over 150,000 pupils across the country.
President Hichilema said while he was in China in September last year, he lobbied for smart villages to be built across the country in an effort to improve connectivity and help children learn in conducive environments.
President Hichilema added that government wants to better the lives of all Zambians through partnership with other countries.
The President said the partnership with China is now bearing fruit by the successful implementation of many projects such as the Muchila Smart Village Project.
President Hichilema said this after Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati, Education Minister Hon. Douglas Syakalima and Huawei Technologies Vice President Phil Li signed a Memorandum of Understanding to roll out the Smart Village Project across the country.
And Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati said the coming of the Smart Village Project will ensure that no child is left behind in education.
Mr. Mutati said the connectivity which the project has brought will also boost small businesses such as those conducting mobile money business and farmers.
Mr. Mutati disclosed that the Muchila Smart Village Project will help teachers to access their salaries on their mobile phones and those on social cash transfer and those on Farmer Input Support Program to get their benefits online.
The Technology and Science Minister disclosed that each of the 10 provinces will receive 10 Smart Village Projects to boost connectivity and enhance the provision of education.
Meanwhile, Huawei Technologies Vice President Phil Li said the Smart Village Project will provide reliable and sustainable energy for the community in Muchila.
Mr. LI said Huawei Technologies is committed to ensure that the project aligns with Vision 2030 to develop the country.
And Charge d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy Wang Sheng disclosed that 100 villages in Muchila Chiefdom will receive electricity, phone network and internet services.
He said as the project is rolled out in all 10 provinces of the country, 5,000 jobs will be created and 400,000 people will benefit.
Mr. Wanga disclosed that the Chinese government encourages Chinese companies to invest in rural areas to promote rural development.
He said investing in rural areas promotes people’s livelihood and corporate social responsibility
