IMPALILA – For many years residents of Impalila island in the Zambezi region said they have been pushed to the periphery for far too long when it comes to development. They are of the opinion that their cries for development have been falling on deaf ears.
However, in recent years things have been changing for the better in the far north-eastern island with over 200 inhabitants, and was once chosen as the location for a multi-million-dollar hotel by late American pop star Michael Jackson.
In 2021, works minister John Mutorwa officiated a ground-breaking ceremony of a low-volume seal road. The N$60 million, 25-kilometre project that includes minor access roads was due to be completed in June last year.
Although it has taken long to complete, the road is now near completion, with only road markings left to complete. On Monday, information and communication minister Emma Theofelus visited Impalila island to assess the ICT infrastructure.
The issue of poor radio reception and the lack of television signal was again raised.
However, this time the minister had some good news as she revealed that NBC has been allocated about “N$90 million to expand the infrastructure across the country. Including Impalila island – to start the work on the island for them to build a transmitter so the island can have connectivity in terms of transmission of broadcasting services of TV and radio.”
NBC’s chief commercial officer Nico Mwiya confirmed that the completion of the project on Impalila island is budgeted for the incoming financial year.
“The finalisation of the project is for us to buy FM transmitter services, so that we provide the services for the people who are staying on the island,” said Mwiya.