President Hakainde Hichilema led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Chiefs’ palaces in Luapula province. The first of these palaces will be erected for His Royal Highness Chief Chimese of Bahati, Mansa, highlighting the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional leaders to enhance their living and working environments.
President Hichilema, speaking at the launch event held at Chief Chimese’s palace, expressed determination to construct palaces across the country without segregation, emphasizing the unity of Zambia as one nation and one people. The President reiterated the crucial role played by traditional leaders in uplifting the lives of all Zambians and stressed the need for their living conditions to align with their significant roles in society.
“As the UPND government, we remain determined and focused on uplifting the lives of all Zambians wherever they are. The traditional leaders play a key role in doing so. As such, their living and working environment must support this role,” President Hichilema affirmed.
Luapula province is set to benefit from 14 palaces out of the 110 planned for construction in the first phase. President Hichilema’s vision encompasses not only the physical structures but also the empowerment and support of traditional leaders in their vital roles.
Acknowledging the natural wonders and resources present in Luapula, including water bodies and pastures, President Hichilema expressed optimism about Zambia’s transformative potential. He called on all citizens to actively participate in the nation’s development, emphasizing that challenges are faced and victories achieved together as one united people.
In addressing the gathering, the President also conveyed the government’s commitment to improving feeder roads, empowering local authorities with increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This move aims to decentralize responsibility and enhance local development initiatives.
Local Government Minister Garry Nkombo assured that the government would complete the construction of other chiefs’ palaces that had stalled since 2014. He echoed the President’s call for collaboration between the government and traditional leadership for the benefit of the nation.
Chief Chimese’s spokesperson, James Kunda, expressed gratitude to President Hichilema for choosing to launch the construction of Chiefs’ palaces at Chief Chimese’s palace. He also appealed for attention to the Mansa-Matanda and Mansa-Kalaba roads, emphasizing their importance to the region.
This is good. However I still think that we need to define the position of Chiefs in the governance structure. At which level is the Paramount, Senior, ordinary and sub chief? This will help us understand their respective level of authority. Paramount Chiefs are the most senior, so they can’t have the same level of authority as others. So if we put them at either PS or DPS or Director even their emoluments will follow that order.
Same old story. Let his people mobilize resources to build him a palace.
Would we Zambians have created chiefs if they didn’t exist? The answer is definitely no. So why do we keep them? It’s unfinished business waiting for our attention.
Chiefs, Headmen etc etc belong in the past, and just a drain on precious reserves
their time has now past bye bye
This one topic we are on the same page.
I think most chiefs know they are a bygone. They dont even have the authority to collect Welensky’s hut taxes. They rely on national taxes for their salaries. What is their production line?
He can kneel as much as he wants but the chiefs know deep down he is not trustworthy. The chiefs act in their subjects interests. Hh and upnd are tribalists who despise northerners and easterners. The people will never forget that
YOUR IDOL WONT EVEN MAKE A GOOD CHIEF
highlighting the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional leaders to enhance their living and working environments????
Yayi! Its:
highlighting the government’s commitment to bribing traditional leaders as their subjects are left on the garbage pit as they try to survive the high cost of living
In today’s world a chief is just an ordinary citizen. Let him or her work hard and make enough money so that he can build a house for himself, buy a car and feed himself and his family. After all he also has to line up in shoprite just like the rest of us.
Of what use are these chiefs? We need classrooms,health centers ,sewer lines,garbage systems clean water systems for improved living standards. NOT BLOODY PALACES …tis why Africans will stay poor.