THE five chiefdoms of the Abena Ngumbo of Samfya District have pledged to support the Government of the day.
The five chiefdoms of Senior Chief Mwewa, Chief Chitembo, Chief Mwansakombe, Chief Mbulu on Chishi Island and Chief Mulongwe on Mbabala Island made the pledge at this year’s Kwanga traditonal ceremony yesterday at Lubwe on the shores of Lake Bangweulu.
Speaking on behalf of Senior Chief Mwewa, Kwanga traditional ceremony organising committee chairperson General Eustace Bobo said the traditional leadership of the five chiefdoms was committed to continue working with the Government of the day.
The senior chief, however, expressed concern that development in the five chiefdoms under his charge was not as much as what was shown on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation television from other parts and areas of the country.
He implored the Government to consider giving Lubwe a district status because it had been on the minds of the traditional leaders in Ngumbo land for more than 50 years as the declaration of districts in the country was a catalyst for bringing development closer to the people.
Senior Chief Mwewa bemoaned the slow pace of works on the Musaila-Kasaba–Luwingu Road, which is in phase one of the Link Zambia 8000 road projects but little had been recorded as progress on the project which the chief felt once done would be an opener to private investment for job creation for his subjects.
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali assured the traditional leaders that he had personally engaged the President on the need for a district status for Lubwe and had been assured that it would be given after the delimitation exercise.
He said Parliament was currently in the process of realigning districts and constituencies so that development was enhanced for the benefit of the people.
Mr Chimbwali said the Government is equally concerned at the pace at which the Musaila–Kasaba–Luwingu Road works were being done and remedial measures would be taken to correct the situation and speed up the works.
Sports, Youth and Child Development Minister Vincent Mwale promised to bring before Cabinet the issue of the slow pace of road works, the Kasaba Secondary School stalled works, and the Lubwe District status’ request so that the higher authorities could give instructions for the benefit of the people of Ngumbo land. -ZANIS