The Police command in Northern Province has deployed 21 police officers to Senga Hill district.
Senga Hill Member of Parliament Henry Sikazwe who confirmed the development says the officers will be stationed at the Police Post in the district, which is located along the Kasama- Mbala road.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Sikazwe who is also Muchinga Province Minister says government is committed to fighting crime in the district hence the decision to have police presence in the area.
He says security remains a key element to the social and economic development of the district.
The Senga Hill law maker noted that security has been a major challenge that residents have been facing in the district.
Mr. Sikazwe said this when he inspected the police post, constructed using the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
He has since called on residents to guard the infrastructure jealously.
“Strong relation between Police and the community in maintaining a peaceful and safe environment for the people is very cardinal.” Sikazwe disclosed.
Mr. Sikazwe also appealed to residents not to take the law in their hands whenever they are aggrieved with something.
And Chela Ward Councillor Francis Chipili said the development and subsequent opening of the police officers in the area is a great development for the people of Senga Hill district.
Mr. Chipili has since commended the government for the gesture saying it will go a long way in fighting crime.
He charged that some criminal elements took advantage of the lack of police presence in the area to engage in lawlessness.
“Currently cases of people who are assaulted go unreported because there is no police post in the district.” Chipili noted.
Senga Hill residents have also hailed the government for the development, saying it will help in reducing accidents especially among unlicensed motor cyclists.
Friday Masaiti disclosed that the growing numbers of people in the district has resulted in an increase in the inflow of unregistered motor bikes from the neighboring Tanzania.
He narrated that the district has in the recent past recorded a number of accidents involving unlicensed motor bike cyclists where lives of people have also been lost.
And another resident Katete Mukwasa disclosed that lack of police presence was becoming a breeding ground for crime in the area.
Mr. Mukwasa said the coming of police presence is an assurance that people’s lives and properties will be secured in the area.
Recently, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu who was in the region to check on officers in his ministry directed the police command in the province to operationalise Senga Hill Police post.