Mwembezhi West Priorities Set

Mr. Hikaumba says CDF, youth empowerment and service delivery at the centre of campaign focus

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia -- (7-06-2026) --- Mwembezhi West Constituency is set to prioritise a development agenda centred on the effective use of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with a focus on improving livelihoods through youth empowerment, economic inclusion and enhanced service delivery.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Vice President and former aspiring candidate for Mwembezhi West Constituency, Mr. Leonard Hikaumba, who attended a campaign planning meeting that was also attended by UPND Mwembezhi West Constituency candidate Mr. Austin Milambo, said the CDF will be used to empower young people through structured skills training programmes.

Mr. Hikaumba said young people need to be encouraged to acquire practical skills that will enable them to participate in development projects and benefit from opportunities created through CDF-funded initiatives.

"The youth can benefit from CDF through skills training that prepares them to undertake various works under community development projects," he said.

He added that targeted CDF interventions will focus on skills development, empowerment and improved access to development resources.

Mr. Hikaumba also said the formation and strengthening of youth and women groups will be prioritised to improve access to CDF support for income-generating activities.

"Organised groups stand a better chance of accessing CDF resources for various economic activities that can improve livelihoods in our communities," he said.

On infrastructure development, Mr. Hikaumba said priority will be placed on improving road networks, expanding access to clean water and strengthening health facilities across the constituency.

He noted that poor roads, limited access to safe water and inadequate health facilities remain some of the major challenges affecting service delivery in Mwembezhi West.

"These challenges require urgent attention through the effective utilisation of CDF resources," he said.

Turning to agriculture, Dr. Hikaumba emphasised the need to improve access to farming inputs, strengthen market linkages and promote value addition through agro-processing.

He said access to reliable markets for agricultural products remains a major challenge for many farmers in the constituency.

"Agriculture remains central to economic development in Mwembezhi West, and efforts to improve the sector must remain a priority," he said.

On education, Mr. Hikaumba said efforts will be made to facilitate the establishment of a secondary school in the constituency while expanding CDF bursaries for vulnerable learners.

He said the constituency urgently requires a secondary school and enhanced bursary support to ensure more children have access to education.

Mr. Hikaumba further stated that although he previously aspired to contest the constituency seat, he stepped aside and supported the adopted candidate in the interest of unity and development.

In response, Mr. Milambo thanked Mr. Hikaumba for his support and acknowledged the concerns that were raised during the meeting.

He promised that, if elected, he would ensure that the issues highlighted are given priority and receive the attention they deserve.

Mr. Milambo also thanked the party for adopting him as its candidate.

He expressed confidence that all UPND candidates at ward and district levels would emerge victorious.

In his remarks, he made a passionate appeal for President HH to receive overwhelming support from the people of Mwembezhi West.