Residents of Kongola in the Zambezi Region and the Mashi Traditional Authority have called upon the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, to intervene in the delayed elevation of the Kongola settlement.

The residents held an engagement with Sankwasa on Sunday at Kongola, where they said that since the proclamation of Kongola as a settlement in 2008, it has remained behind, unlike others that are now village councils.

They say this has also affected the now dormant Manyeha Crocodile farm and Mukope Green Scheme, where the government spent millions of dollars.

"We no longer trust the Zambezi Regional Council to manage the affairs of Kongola due to corruption scandals and mismanagement. We request that your office appoint an independent administrator to oversee all development matters in Kongola directly," said Glen Shebo, a representative of the residents.

They also want those involved in dubious dealings at the Zambezi Regional Council held accountable. 

"We call for the immediate suspension or dismissal of all Zambezi Regional Council officials implicated in corruption, including the theft of the Kongola Development Fund, drought relief food and other public resources. Their actions have deeply harmed the region."

While assuring residents of the government's efforts towards development, Sankwasa also lashed out at the community for not bringing their part.

"Those who were involved in the missing money are known to you, but what did your councillor do to punish the alleged perpetrators? They were not even suspended or charged with misconduct; nothing happened. There is another corruption case, but the council did not do anything. This means councillors failed to handle their issue, and the minister cannot do anything. There is no accountability in the Zambezi Regional Council; it does not exist."

Sankwasa encouraged Kongola residents to continue initiating engagements with the government on issues that affect them.