Six Southern Province based Chiefs have pledged to support President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front Government to enable it deliver on its promises to the Zambian people.
The Chiefs led by Chief Chikanta of Kalomo district said Chiefs and the Presidency needed to work together in order for government to meet its objectives of delivering development to the citizenry.
Chief Chikanta who was in the company of Chief Coona of Choma, Chief Nyawa of Kazungula district, Chief Simwatachela, Chieftainess Sekute and Chief Mukobela of Namwala said they opted to meet President Lungu while, he was on official duty in Livingstone to show their solidarity for his leadership.
“We thought of taking advantage of your visit to Southern Province. We welcome you and want to show that we give you solidarity as you carry on your national duties. We feel that once in a while, we should be able to meet you here. We have met our own expenses just to give you the support you need,” he said.
Chief Chikanta said this during a meeting with the Head of State at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone today.
He requested President Lungu to meet the chiefs periodically at State House to discuss national issues.
“…starting next year, we are requesting for your office to allocate a day for you to meet us, Chiefs. There’s a lot that the chiefs want to discuss with you directly in this country in order for you to deliver and reach out to all parts of the country as your responsibility requires,” he said.
Chief Chikanta also commended government for providing logistical support during the funeral of Chief Choongo of Monze district who died last week after an illness.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has accepted the request made by the chiefs and assured them that he is available and at their service.
President Lungu said Cabinet Office will arrange the regular visits requested by the chiefs to facilitate the much needed interaction between his office and the traditional leadership.
He said those who want to engage the presidency and government are welcome to his office.
“Those who are willing can come, it is not compulsory. I know last time we tried this but it did not work out so we will need to polish up this time around. You are entitled to come so you come because we are there for the people,” he said.
The Head of State said he is aware some chiefs had common problems while others had peculiar ones adding that, some worked well with Members of Parliament while others did not.
And President Lungu said the PF will soon introduce a system to assess the performance of its MPs to ascertain whether they are delivering development to the people on party lines and according to government policy.
He also passed his condolences over the death of Chieftainess Choongo of Monze district in Southern Province.
“My condolences…I was personally involved in trying to facilitate treatment. When a chief is unwell, please inform the provincial minister. We want to ensure they get the best treatment. We know there are certain challenges of going to T.B Joshua but unfortunately, we cannot support that program,” he said
President Lungu said if the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) recommended evacuation to South Africa, India or Israel, government would facilitate.
“…we’ll take you because that is our responsibility. I am saying this because there was a chief who was unwell and wanted government to send the traditional leader to Prophet T.B Joshua, and accused me of refusing to take them there,” he said.
And President Lungu wondered why some wanted to receive medical treatment abroad when their conditions could be treated locally.
“Others want to go abroad when their conditions can be treated in Zambia, why should government spend money in that case? We care for our chiefs. We don’t want to lose our chiefs,” he said.
He noted that in some areas when chiefs died, conflicts and succession disputes arose.
“With these conflicts and successions we fear that we may lose some chiefdoms like in the case of Chief Mbulu in Luapula where there has been no chief for about 15 to 20 years. There is need for continuity…otherwise we are losing an important institution,” he said.
President Lungu was in Livingstone to officially open the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) Mid-Term Review Meeting at Avani Victoria Falls Resort.
IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 75 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.
Donors meet every three years to replenish IDA resources and the current replenishment – IDA18- is worth US$75 billion for financing of developmental projects with US$45 billion specifically reserved for Africa.
The headline is not exactly as the story is written. I believe the Chiefs are asking for access to the President. And in answer, the President, although not direct, he is saying you have Provincial Minister and MPs who represent Government right here with you.
Hearts off to Chief Mukobela of Namwala and of course to the other five chiefs. I was right in my earlier posting when I had wondered if that other chief I cannot remember had been at Harry Mwaanga International Airport to welcome the President. From the above records, it shows that chief and friend to Hakainde was not there! We need to work together to make this country go forward. This government is developing every corner of the country and only a wizard can choose to remain in neutral or backward motion. God bless Zambia and these independent thinking and wise Chiefs.
HaNEGATIVES, HaTRIBES, HATRIBALISM HaLOMBE and his clowns always stating, “This is good, BUT, BUT, BUT…!” Why do you always have to think “TRIBE first,” then ISSUE next?
Makes sense. There is no better president to take us forward than Him.
Vote president Lungu in the next general elections.
It is the right thing to do.
I have a PhD
Thanks
BB2014, 2016
This lazy foooool Edgar has no understanding of anything do people have to support you to enable you to deliver on your promises…do people have to support you when you commissioning a 4.5 million dollar toll gate worth less than one hundred thousand dollars!!!!
Another form of bribery and a malpractice at play here, equivalent to the ‘badly behaved policeman’ that went viral for assaulting a citizen of Asian origin. Are these the chiefs who are having palaces built/competed as urged by Edgar, whole are now coming in full support of him? Is this just a coincidence or just another form of Bribery? Like the badly behaved policeman, Edgar should be arrested and put away for being a bad example of good Zambia. There is no positive one can find in this. This is plain wrong and in bad taste!
Chief Simwatachela of Kazungula is a rock star. I had an honor of dealing with him over 2 decades ago when I was in charge of Advances (Investment Banker) at Meridian BIAO Bank in Livingstone.
Together we worked on a scheme for his subjects to use heads of cattle as collateral for their working capital support loans to acquire cattle medicines and deep tank chemicals for their ranches.
I am glad to report it was one of the most successful projects I ever worked on. I am proud of our collective efforts back then. He knows which side of his bread is buttered.
Great guy, sorry … A Great Chief, I must admit.
So you are the thieves who stole people’s hard earned savings at Meridian Bank…then ran to the US, today you brag about sponsoring yourself at Harvard or whatever top university it is in the US!!
@Gay Gay … kuti waseka!!! Such ignorance is appalling. Ine ukwiba???? You are outta ya mind, Dude.
By the way Meridian BIAO Bank collapse was purely political because Ka Chiluba wanted to fix KK as he thought Andrew Sandinis was the one bank rolling UNIP campaign funds.
Get yourself properly informed, you low life, low libido, low IQ nincompoop
Lazy Bum Gay Jay tribal hooligan bully thug online UPND TRIBALISM CHIEF son of a polygamist father who never taught him toilet training pooping in public HAGAIN. MUTINTA HICHILEMA to change the little boy’s DIAPERS please! IT IS UNELECTABLE!
HaPOOP ….. “So, you are the thief!” Hapoops language “Okay BUT, So, Nevertheless,” HaPOOP INCOMPOS think “TRIBE FIRST” then “ISSUE SECOND.” No wonder it will NEVER be ELECTED. They will NEVER appreciate good in others except if you are TONGA!
@ BR Mumba
You are the one of those Mother F*ckers who destroyed future of thousands families!!!
“Investment Banker” my foot. Just another f*cking white collar criminal at the service of Endemically Corrupt Leader of Plunderers Federation pretending to be “learned” and “knowledgeable” whilst spending whole life thieving.
Scum of the Earth you are. A Snr turd!!!
10 park to mazabuka must be done. Southern province is part of Zambia. Dont punish people because of hh . He is already comfortable
THE STRATEGY IS TO WAIT UNTIL 2021 CAMPAIGN PERIOD BEFORE THE CAN START MAZABUKA RD, EVERYTHING IS SCRIPTED.
Thank you Mr President, Please sticky to helping those that need help in established institutions (Hospitals). Those who need to go to other healers other than the medical hospitals must meet their own costs. The state cannot be involved in such. Peaple have gone to some of these “healers”using their life savings and have come back home without being healed and have died.
Thought Chiefs are meant to be objective and non-partisan?
Jay Jay I would advise you to show respect to the President not just as the officially sworn ruler of the country but also as a Father Husband and elder. Your tone of Language is offensive. And I would like to include Lusaka Times editorial team in being complicit in this type of behavior by not enforcing minimum standards of decency. Let’s show respect to one another it’s a mark of Civility. This is why Macron insulted us that Africa’s problem is not poverty but one of civilization.
Macron was right. Here you go again worshipping the president and you call this civilization? My foot! Development has to go to all parts of the country whether they support him (lungu) or not.
It seems that LT haven’t got the capacity to control bad blogging. They can only detect simple things like Chi****ka***la. I participate in Yahoo news and there’s a lot of difference.
Lusak Times please take ownership of this. ????????
Come on ndeloleshafye,, start by disciplining Kudo then go to Spaka,, Zambia is a civilized country which is a signatory to so many civilized observetory organizations,, this is not Saudi Arabia,,, you need to be logical in order for you to qualify your statement to be a fact,,
President Lungu do not be fooled by those Chiefs after you give them brown envelopes. We all know who they truly support
Lusaka Times has an obligation to uphold minimum standards of decency in language that its bloggers use regardless who it is. Respect for those to whom comments are directed is paramount. Otherwise this media will lose credibility. There is no excuse for offending language and insults. Let’s respect ourselves and let’s respect others.
Like we lost credibility in CHILDISH?
HUNGRY POPERS ONLY SAVING THEIR FAT BELLYS
“My condolences…I was personally involved in trying to facilitate treatment. When a chief is unwell, please inform the provincial minister. We want to ensure they get the best treatment. We know there are certain challenges of going to T.B Joshua but unfortunately, we cannot support that program,” he said
President Lungu said if the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) recommended evacuation to South Africa, India or Israel, government would facilitate.
“…we’ll take you because that is our responsibility. I am saying this because there was a chief who was unwell and wanted government to send the traditional leader to Prophet T.B Joshua, and accused me of refusing to take them there,” he said.
Is this coming from Prof. HANSONI? It makes no sense. Please put it on the University paperhead, it might.
A chief is like a father to the people. They can counsel the opposition leadership without demonizing them. They can also counsel the government and work with it. ..any government not only one composed of our relatives.
The is the way Mr. President, leave that one pupus for himself…kkkk