Vice president Rupiah Banda has assured farmers that government will be involved in the marketing of agriculture produce in the next marketing season.
Speaking during the Nc’wala traditional ceremony, Mr Banda said government had put
up measures to ensure that all problems affecting the production and marketing of
agricltural products are addressed.
The vice president maintained that government would remain committed to supporting
farmers towards development.
” Government realizes that agriculture offers increased employment and income
generation in rural and peri urban areas,” he said.
The vice president said the increase of Fertiliser Support Programme and subsdies
on the farming input from 40 percent to 60 percent was a manifestation of
government’s commitment to improve the welfare of farmers.
Mr Banda also promised the people that government would do everything possible to
rehabilitate infrustracture that had been destroyed by floods and heavy rains.
He added that government had started providing tents, relief food and drugs to flood
victims.
Mr Banda thanked paramount chief Mpezeni for his support during the tripartite
elections last September.
He stated that he was hopeful that the chief will continue to support the
government of President Levy Mwanawasa.
And Paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Chipata has praised government
for its efforts in promoting foreign investment in the country.
Paramount chief Mpezeni said in a speech read for him by Nc’wala ceremony organising
chairperson, Amon Subhuza Jere that government has continued to provide an enabling
environment for investors.
The paramount chief also thanked President Mwanawasa for appointing most of the
members of parliament from the Eastern Province to ministerial positions, the move
he said would enhance development in the province.
” Iam hopeful that these people will not just sit in parliament but attend to the
needs of the Zambian people,” he said.
He also thanked government for coming up with the house of chiefs which he said was
necessary for the welfare of chiefdoms adding that some issues needed to be
addressed by chiefs.
And French Ambassador to Zambia, Francis Saudubray has pledged his country’s
continued support to culture and traditional ceremonies in Zambia.
Speaking to ZANIS at the Nc’wala ceremony today, Mr Saudubray said culture was
important because it allowed people to understand their history.
He expressed happiness that the Ngoni people were proud of thier culture.
He added that although Zambia was a single nation,it was rich in culture as it had
diffrent cultures.
Meanwhile paramount chief Mezeni of the Ngoni people has urged fellow chiefs to
embrace all political parties and the government of the day saying they are partners
in development.
Speaking at the 2007 Ncwala cremony, the paramount chief said traditional
ceremonies promote culture as they bring together people from different places.
This was in a speech read on his behalf by the Nc’wala ceremony organising
committee chairperson Amon Jere.
The Chief praised government for the recognition of traditional ceremonies saying it
should continue to encourage culture.
The traditional leader also requested government to leave land disputes to the house
of chiefs to debate and find solutions without interfering.
