President Hakainde Hichilema held a meeting with His Royal Highness Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people of Luapula Province, who also serves as the Chairperson of the House of Chiefs and the Luapula Council of Chiefs. In addition to these roles, Chief Chisunka leads the Ushi Chiefs of Mansa District.
Their discussions revolved around various critical topics, including Agriculture and Food Security, Constituency Development Fund, and Road Infrastructure Development in Luapula Province. The leaders also delved into the merits of free education and emphasized the necessity of collaboration between the House of Chiefs and the Ministries of Local Government and Justice. This collaboration is seen as vital in addressing issues related to decentralization and succession disputes.
Both President Hichilema and Chief Chisunka reiterated the view that Government and Traditional leadership serve the same people who require development. They emphasized that their efforts were not in competition but rather complementary.
In particular, President Hichilema pledged to rectify land transactions where large tracts of land were illegally awarded to individuals. In cases where proper procedures were not followed, he expressed his willingness to reverse such transactions to protect the interests of the locals.
Additionally, President Hichilema announced the expedited process of legalizing the mining of Sugilite in Luapula Province. He emphasized the issuance of mining licenses to communities and encouraged partnerships between locals living in areas where Sugilite is mined and those with capital. This strategy aims to ensure that communities benefit from the mineral.
Furthermore, President Hichilema disclosed plans for Provinces and Districts to have their own budgets. This measure aims to empower local regions to plan and execute their development projects independently.
Chief Chisunka had raised concerns about people in Luapula Province being incarcerated for illegal Sugilite mining due to a lack of regulations. He appealed to the government to legalize the mining of the mineral and provide licenses to locals.
The Chief also thanked the government for increasing the Constituency Development Funds (CDF), which he believed would lead to the successful implementation of more projects in Chiefdoms. Chief Chisunka assured that Royal Establishments were ready to monitor CDF projects.
He also expressed the need for Parliament to act on motions passed by the House of Chiefs, as these have often gone unaddressed. Chief Chisunka raised concerns about the prolonged disposition of succession cases in Chiefdoms and suggested that the House of Chiefs handle such cases.
In response, President Hichilema committed to facilitating meetings where the House of Chiefs could engage with the National Assembly and the Judiciary on these matters.
Mining without a licence is illegal in every part of Zambia. This includes quarrying or digging up any mineral or rock of whatever description out of the ground.
The Chinese can do this without hitch. Come to the emerald mines and see for yourself how Zambian miners are targeted as compared to the Chinese.
This is such a poorly written story. Iam a journalism student using my father’s PC and I find this story flawed because it doesnt answer the Five Ws and an H. Look at the caption up there: President Hakainde Hichilema welcomes His Royal Highness Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people of Luapula Province
Welcomes him to WHERE?
A Zambian miner whether licensed or not is an illegal miner. A foreign miner licensed or not is an investor according to our puppet leader. The land Hichilema is talking about I am sure the owners are the Chilangwa, Kalabas, Milangis etc. No white man or UPND stooge is being targeted here. What is the job of the Minister of Lands or whatever it is called today.
So Zambia started mining only after electing HH as President!
I wish the president can also reverse the dubious pravitisation of state companies including ZCCM, Livingstone Royal Hotel, Lima bank and govt ranches. Lots of cattle disapeared from the state ranches.
Mr President please address these matters and reverse those dubious activities and pursue all those that participated in the illegal processes.
He can only reverse the achievement scored by past presidents.
You are very crafty lol
As long as they are illegal transanctions they should all be reversed
SOE’S are a waste of tax payers money
Take SA as an example, the power house of Africa brought to its knees
We are no different
He’s free to talk with this chief from Luapula because he’s a fellow tribesman.
And if he failed to conclude the KCM case in court how’s going to reverse land transactions? Land owners will simply go to court and that will be the end of the issue.
You do not know Zambian land law. Parcels of land above 200 hectares require presidential consent. It’s not HH who chose the current Chief Chisunka. He found him on the throne. He qualified to be chief according to custom of the Ushi tribe. And he’s not the only one. You can go on hating HH and hurting inside, it will change nothing.
Hh is the biggest thief of land. Who has forgotten the hatembo case. Also he sold our land and parastatals by undervaluing them for kickbacks. Today he wants to come out holier than thou. Fuseke
YOU ARE WRONG HE MAYBE THE SECOND BIGGEST THIEF AFTER YOU KNOW WHO
It will be difficult to beat buck…..
He’s better than you that’s why he’s president and you’re nada.Yes he’s hollier tha you.
“Education is not a way to escape poverty; Education is a way of fighting poverty.” – Julius Nyerere
We are waiting for the arrest of minister Syakalima for insulting the people of Luapula province. Or should we call it Hate Speech as per New Dawn Vocabulary.
Just look at all the townships that have mushroomed in Lusaka and tell me that was legal allocation of land. House plot after house plot with no parks or breaks and worse still no roads visit Libala South, Kamwala South etc. And someone says he will ” reverse all illegal land transactions”?
Forget it.
As a Luapulan allow me to protest.
How disrespectful! How can he meet our chief without wearing a jacket and tie? He always wears a tie and jacket this man! HH you stop picking bad habits from these kids you’re meeting called Ne-yo. You and that Minister of Education of yours should apologise to the people of Luapula
He’s related to him for your information.
Related as what?
Start with Forest 27 issue which you so vehemently vowed to deal with immediately you came into power you muppet! It’s now 2 years in and nothing has happened. So who are you trying to fool here?
Stop moderating comments that tell it as it is!!!
@deja vu what’s their relationship?
Yes I also want to know, I thought you can only be Chief among your kin. Is he a Joseph in Egypt?
Ban the sell of land to foreigners before it is too late. If its for investment, designate specific areas where investors will be allowed to buy but even then, it should be company not individuals. Reduce land tenure for foreigners from 99 to maximum of 25 years.
Good idea but governments are deaf
Perfect idea
There is another notorious ex-colonel from Zambia airforce who had been stealing land from others and divide to his relatives or sell with the help of corrupt workers from ministry of Lands.