The Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility has invited community members to harvest firewood from the de-bushed timber on the farm.

The community support project that started on Monday will benefit communities nearby the farm.

The officer in charge of the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility, Deputy Commissioner John Kambimbi, said the initiative is mainly to foster a collaborative relationship with the community.

"It's a result of the clearing of the farm that we have done; if you can look around, we have cleared out certain portions, and we have enough firewood on the farm, so the first beneficiaries we thought of are those community members who are living nearby the farm. In this project, even from the time we will start with the ploughing during harvesting, there are those after harvesting; we have got some surplus within the farm, and we are also going to be inviting you so that you have that surplus."

Kambimbi cautioned the community against vandalising government property and called on them to instead report such incidents.

The chairperson of the Community Advisory Committee Board, Mukela Mukela, also urged the community to protect the facility, ensuring that they also benefit from the farm.

"You heard the commissioner saying that in the future, when the farm has a good harvest, the surplus. They cannot go and call someone in Impalila or Kongola; they will start with you that are close. So you that are close should help us; this facility is also yours, and the good that will come from here will also befall you. So you should stand against any vandalism of this place."

"I want to express my gratitude for this gift. People thought we were coming to harvest for the government, but this harvest is ours; even if your shoulder breaks or your neck breaks, the firewood is ours. It is true we must take care of this place. By yourselves, you will not be able to, but only with cooperation with us," declared Katima Mulilo resident Emmanuel Mwiya.