Zambia Army Commander Paul Mihova yesterday made history when he became the first high profile military personnel to visit Kilwa Island on Mweru Lake in Nchelenge district, according to a report by ZANIS.
Lieutenant General Mihova who was accompanied by the members of the Nchelenge District Joint Operational Committee (DJOC) and the area District Commissioner Royd Chakaba arrived at Kilwa Island at 15: 00 hours by water.
Lieutenant General Paul Mihova was met at the harbour by Immigration and Police Officers stationed at Kilwa Nshimba Immigration Post on the shores of Mweru Lake for special duties.
And the Zambia Army Commander said there is urgent need to procure modern water transport for security officers manning immigration posts on the water bodies in the country.
“Our people have continued being abducted and huge sums of money have been extorted from them yet you can’t quickly intervene because of lack of transport,” Lieutenant General Mihova said.
He said the authorities are aware of the transport challenges for water operations but was quick to say the issue will be seriously discussed at the highest level to lobby for the procurement of marine vessels for security personnel.
“The lack of effective water transport has the potential to undermine the security efforts that are being made by the government and require urgent attention,” he said.
He emphasised that the presence of the Zambian security personnel could not be felt because it is practically impossible to conduct water patrols in the absence of transport.
He urged the officers at Kilwa Nshimba Immigration post to be vigilant and remain committed to duty in order to protect the people of Zambia and the territorial integrity.
And Nchelenge District Commissioner (DC) Royd Chakaba said the visit to Kilwa Island by the Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Paul Mihova has clearly demonstrated the seriousness the government attaches to the security of the nation.
Mr. Chakaba said the visit by the Zambia Army Commander to Kilwa Island is not just historical but an appropriate ingredient to uplift the moral of the officers manning border posts especially on the water fronts.
He said the actualization of the 48 marine unit which late President Michael Sata initiated and which was launched by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu last Sunday will go a long way in enhancing the security in Nchelenge and the country as a whole.
Source: ZANIS
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