FOUR Lamba chiefs in Mpongwe District have praised the Government for being consistent in its efforts to develop their areas.
And Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Villie Lombanya has said President Rupiah Banda plans to visit all the Copperbelt-based chiefs soon.
Chiefs Ndubeni, Machiya, Kalunkumia and Chieftainess Lesa said they were all impressed with Government’s commitment to develop their areas and cited the road infrastructure and the boreholes being sank as some of the positive ideas their subjects were appreciating.
Chief Machiya said using its limited resources, the Government was doing its best to take development to his chiefdom and that it was only some selfish Government workers who were frustrating such efforts.
“I have a big problem with some Government workers who are directed to implement particular projects and once the money is released they use it for something else, these people do not only tarnish the image of the Government but they retard development,” he said.
Chieftainess Lesa said she was impressed with the Government’s efforts to improve the standard of living for her subjects but stressed the need for the Government to revisit the farmers input support programme.
She said the bags of fertiliser being delivered to her area were not enough for the local farmers.
Chief Ndubeni said it was clear the Government was doing a lot to develop the area but it was the pace of implementation of some projects by the people on the ground which was sometimes worrisome.
Chief Kalunkumia said he was impressed with the Government’s efforts to consult traditional leaders on various social and development issues.
Meanwhile, Mr Lombanya who visited chiefs in Mpongwe, said President Banda and his Government were grateful for the support they had continued to receive from the traditional rulers in the area.
“As Government, we are aware that as chiefs you are giving us support not that you want something in return but because you are part of the country’s administration,” he said.
Mr Lombanya said the Government had realised that it could only achieve its goals and solve the people’s problems if it worked in collaboration with the chiefs who spoke on behalf of the people.
“As Government we cannot work in isolation, we need to interact and consult you as chiefs on a number of issues,” he said.
Times
