5th November, 2025
Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma, MP, has officially unveiled a fleet of newly acquired earth-moving equipment by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) earmarked for the construction of the Nakonde Airport in Muchinga Province.
Valued at K71 million, the equipment—procured from local suppliers—includes graders, tipper trucks, excavators, front-end loaders, compactors, low-bed trucks, and fuel storage tanks.
The Zambia National Service has been contracted by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics to construct the Nakonde Airport Greenfield Project, which carries a total cost of K2.8 billion.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony at the ZNS Land Development Branch Headquarters in Lusaka, Minister Lufuma commended ZNS for its dedication to national development and urged Transport and Logistics Minister Hon. Frank Tayali to expedite payments to enable works to begin. He emphasized that the Nakonde Airport project is crucial for enhancing trade and tourism in Zambia’s northern corridor.
Meanwhile, ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Eng. Maliti Solochi II revealed that personnel have already been mobilized on-site in Nakonde since September and are prepared to commence construction. He noted that ZNS procured the equipment in advance to demonstrate its readiness to support government infrastructure projects.
Lt. Gen. Solochi added that sourcing the machinery locally aligns with the government’s policy of empowering local companies. He also appealed for an advance payment from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics to accelerate the start of works.
In a related remark, ZNS Chief of Land Development Branch Brigadier General Jephan Mukanda assured the government that all the newly acquired equipment will be strictly used for its intended purpose to ensure successful project execution.