The Governor of the Zambezi Region, Lawrence Sampofu, said a lot has been done in terms of development despite many setbacks in the region.

Sampofu said this during his State of the Region Address on Monday. 

Some of the major projects completed or nearing completion, he said, include the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court, the construction of the Linyanti and Malengalenga health care clinics, the upgrade to a low volume seal standard of roads on Impalila Island, the successful electrification of schools in flood-prone areas including Mukorofu, Nankuntwe, Namiyundu, and Lyanshulu villages, and the ongoing installation at Masambo primary.

"The completion of these rural electrification projects signifies more than just the installation of power lines and infrastructure. It represents a transformative shift towards enhancing livelihoods, empowering communities, unlocking economic potential in previously marginalised areas, and attaining the Vision 2030 objectives."

Despite the many achievements, Sampofu pinpointed certain setbacks on some of the projects in the year under review that have stalled because of limited budget allocations, lack of functional vehicles, lack of office space, and personnel in some ministries and directorates, which derailed quality service delivery.

He further said that the lack of green schemes in the region remains a major impediment to food security and employment creation.

"Our agriculture sector on the green schemes did not yield results yet. The Kalimbeza Green Scheme's last good yield was in 2021. This has left the region without an economic produce on food security and job creation. We are aspiring that the allocation of funds for 2024/25 will revive the production of the project."

Sampofu, however, encourages office-bearers to continue working hand in hand with the central government to ensure that national projects are executed.