LUO

THE move by the Shimukunami Chiefdom to launch the development strategic plan for 2014-2018 is a welcome initiative which should be emulated by other chiefdoms.
Chiefdoms are critical players in the development of the country and act as a link between the central government and the people.
We need to see more of our traditional leaders taking up the centre stage in the development process of the country.
Poverty is widespread in rural areas where the majority of the people live and efforts to come up with strategies to develop the rural areas are a step in the right direction.
It is therefore encouraging to note that Chieftainess Shimukunami of
the Lamba-speaking people of Lufwanyama District has taken up the mantle to launch the development strategic plan to run for the next four years.
In order for such a development programme to succeed, Government support is vital.
The assurance by Chiefs and Traditional Affairs minister, Nkandu Luo that Government is determined to develop the country by working hand in hand with chiefs can never be overemphasised.
There is no doubt that if Government and chiefs partner, development would definitely trickle down to the grassroots.
Gone are the days when traditional rulers waited for handouts from their subjects.
Now is the time when we need traditional leaders to be in the forefront spearheading development.
It’s good that a number of chiefs in Zambia have become agents of development.
Senior chief Mukuni of the Toka Leya-speaking people in Kazungula District and senior Chief Mumena of the Kaonde -speaking people of Solwezi have been inspirational in trying to take development to their areas.
Their involvement in developmental issues has inspired many other traditional leaders who are slowly following suit.
This is the best way to go, chiefs should supplement Governments efforts to develop the country.
Traditional leaders are well respected in rural areas and when they are in the forefront preaching hard work and development, certainly the country would go far in its quest to develop.
Even during the time of colonisation, the British in their style of indirect administration recognised the importance of chiefs.
Chiefs were key in the administration process and were the ones who run the show on behalf of the colonisers.
In the same vein, the Government can today work with the chiefs to spearhead development.
So far the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has shown political will to uplift the standards of chiefs by introducing the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.
This ministry should go flat out to work with the chiefs to come up with various programmes which would bring about social change, thereby contributing to the social and economic development of the country.
In order for such strategies as the one launched by Chieftainess Shimukunami to succeed, the Government should collaborate with traditional leaders.
Even Members of Parliament should be involved in these plans so that they can on behalf of the chiefs be able to lobby for funding while in Parliament.
We therefore implore more chiefdoms to emulate the strategy by Chieftainess Shimukunami so that development in chiefdoms is enhanced.
All efforts which are aimed at developing the country should be supported and kudos to Chieftainess Shimukunami of the Lamba-speaking people for this well thought out initiative.
We hope this strategy would not just be shelved but should be implemented to attain the desired results.
Obviously, the document being the first one would have its own challenges but with time, it should be refined and fine-tuned to match the development challenges.