A Chinese adage, of 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step' can be likened to a crusade by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Government to develop the nation whose step began after the September 20, 2011 tripartite elections to answer to the needs of the Zambian people.

The task ahead of the Government is massive and so is the quest to respond to the numerous campaign promises.

It is in this vein that those tasked with the responsibility by the Republican President Michael Sata of help him to deliver to the citizenry have no choice but to begin the journey in earnest by visiting the people in various districts to ensure that things are happening and also have a feel of some of the challenges being experienced.

It is for this reason that the Central Province Minister Philip Kosamu recently under-took a 12-day familiarisation tour of Serenje, Mkushi, Kapiri Mposhi, Mumbwa, Chibombo and Chisamba districts where he inspected on- going works.

During his tour of duty, Mr Kosamu inspected, among other projects roads, bridges, schools and hospitals under construction left by the previous government.

This is so because the PF Government has placed the issue of infrastructure on top on its agenda as it is key to the growth and development of any nation.

It is evident that poor and inadequate infrastructure remains a major constraint to economic development and poverty reduction.

But a sustained commitment to infrastructure development will be the main focus of the Government as it attempts to respond to challenges within the community.

In light of the importance of trade and regional integration to economic growth, rehabilitation of road links under various regional corridors , Central Province being centrally located finds itself being a route through which a number of countries regularly use to get to their respective destinations.

The province is a link to neighbouring Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola which is the reason why a good road network remains key if the slogan of 'more money in the pocket' is to bear fruits.

Mr Kosamu who also found time to meet with all heads of Government departments said his Government had no plans of abandoning various developmental projects such as construction of schools, hospitals and roads as doing so will be a waste of resources.

'As a Government, we have no plans of abandoning the works left behind by the previous government, we are a responsible government who cannot allow resources to go to waste just like that, "he said.

The minister toured the construction of a boarding high school in Muchinga Constituency and further inspected the Serenje-Mapepala, Mumbwa Landless corner roads, new Mkushi Hospital under construction as well as on going construction works of the Kapiri Mposhi Day High School, Kapiri Mposhi Girls Technical High School and Chipepo Boarding school where tremendous progress has been recorded.

He said he was happy with the works carried out so far but urged the contractors to expedite their operations so that they remained on schedule of completion.

Mr Kosamu, however, was not happy that most schools were only funded last year which has led to a delay in completion of the construction works.

Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Urgent Mazuba said the three high schools in the district were last funded before September last year and this has also forced contractors to delay in completing the works.

And Chief Mailo of Serenje said he was happy that the Government has continued to place emphasis on infrastructure development as a cornerstone of economic growth and that it wanted to see to it that the schools under construction in his chiefdom initiated by MMD are completed to the satisfaction of the local people.

The chief said construction of schools is key to having an educated society which in turn would contribute to the growth and development of the nation.

Chief Mailo said that once the schools are completed, they would accommodate the local children who in the past had to traverse long distances in search of education, while in some cases some girl children ended up in early marriages as they could not cope with the challenges of accessing education.

And Chief Chamuka of the Lenje- speaking people of Chibombo District has pledged to work with President Sata and the Government in developing his chiefdom.

And Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka (MP) urged the people of his constituency not to frustrate projects which were under construction in the area and have been adopted by the PF Government.

Speaking at his palace, Chief Chamuka declared his full support to Mr Sata stating that his chiefdom was interested in seeing development come to the area.

He said it is important for traditional leaders to take a non-partisan stance and support the Government of the day if any meaningful development was to take place not only in his chiefdom but country wide.

And the chief has commended the Government's move to continue with the projects embarked on by the previous government in his chiefdom such as schools, health centres and road works.

He said there is need for Government to expedite the completion of these projects to ensure that the infrastructure in issue could start functioning to the benefit of the local people.

He added that ensuring that projects were completed on time was not only critical for Government but that his chiefdom will always use a proper channel when advising and airing grievances to the Government.

Mr Muteteka, who is opposition MMD MP, also commended Government for showing commitment to developing the country, especially in his area.

As the Government embarks on a one step journey so as to reach out to the needs of the Zambian people it is hoped that each and every Zambian who is interested in seeing development take an interest and get involved in developing Zambia.