11/08/2011 (Times of Zambia) - The government has installed a five kilovolt and a pump house at a palm oil project in Mwense where about K700 million be spent.

Mwense District Commissioner Benjamin Chama said works on the 25-hectare Ipusukilo palm oil Multipurpose irrigation scheme are progressing well.

Mr Chama said so far the Government has spent more than K200 million. So far a five kilo volt power supply and a motor has been installed in the pump house.

Mr Chama said the Government was in the process of laying a 125 by eight poly line from the pump house.

He said the Government decided to construct the pump house so that it could be pumping water from uphill to the reservoir.

Mr Chama said it was important that a proper irrigation system was in place because the trees requires plenty of water About 1,000 trees had already been planted and more would be done in the rainy season.

The project which started four years ago was expected to have completed within three years but could not due to lack of funds.

Palm Oil project has a significant impact on the local people and the environment and once completed the project is expected to be a major employer in the area.