By SYLVESTER MWALE in Luano –
Senior Chief Mboroma of the Lala people has predicted victory for President Edgar Lungu in this year’s general elections because of the unprecedented development in rural areas.
The traditional leader who has been on the throne for 42 years said his chiefdom had witnessed massive road construction and rehabilitation from the time the Patriotic Front (PF) took over power in 2011.
“Thanks to God for giving us Edgar Lungu because he has followed what Michael Sata started and even the blind are seeing the roads that are being built for the first time in my area,” said the Chief when Central Province Permanent Secretary Daisy Ng’ambi paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on Monday.
“I’m not campaigning because we are not partisan but my allegiance is to the government of the day, and it is unwise for one to ask if we will eat roads,” he said.
Ms Ng’ambi, who was recently transferred to the province from the Ministry of Gender, is on a familiarisation tour of the area.
The chiefdom sits on the sprawling Luangwa Valley about 170 kilometres east of Mkushi and has suffered isolation from the rest of the region since independence due to poor road network.
However, the Government recently rehabilitated the Fiwila-Mboroma Road which connects the area to Mkushi in addition to the Mboroma-Mbosha, a 53 km stretch which is being constructed by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) with the aim of linking the area to Chinyunyu on the Great East Road.
Chief Mboroma who invited President Lungu to visit the area said his subjects were also grateful because they had received relief maize to avert hunger.
He also appealed to the Government to complete construction of the one-by-three classroom blocks which started in 2013 at Ching’ombe Primary School as well as drill at least two boreholes in the area.
Ms Ng’ambi said she was overwhelmed with the warm welcome she had received from the time she reported for work.
She said her work would be easier with the support from everyone in the area including traditional leadership.
Central Province Minister Davies Chisopa assured the traditional leader that the Head of State was committed in taking development to all parts of the country regardless of the location.
Mr Chisopa said Mr Lungu had realised that a good road network was crucial for the development of the country hence the rapid road rehabilitation across the country.
“The transfer of the rural road unit to ZNS has enhanced its operations and the construction of this road to link Chinyunyu will be historical for the people in this area,” he said.
Apart from Mr Chisopa, the permanent secretary was accompanied by Luano District Commissioner Christopher Chibuye.