Wrangles among North West Chiefs hampering development

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President Sata poses for a photo with chiefs from North-western, Eastern and Central Provinces
President Sata poses for a photo with chiefs from North-western, Eastern and Central Provinces

Senior Chief Sikufele of the Mbunda people of Manyinga District in North Western province says wrangles among chiefs in the province are hindering development in the area.

 

Speaking when Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President David Mwango called on him at his palace yesterday, Chief Sikufele said North- Western province had continued lagging behind in development due to lack of unity among traditional leaders.

 

The chief said it was disheartening that some traditional leaders in the province were in the habit of fanning confusion among fellow chiefs a situation he described as unhealthy and retrogressive.

 

Chief Sikufele has since called on fellow traditional leaders in North Western province to put aside tribal inclinations and work together in order to foster development in the province.

“We Chiefs must unite regardless of tribe because we are one people and we must work well with the government of the day if development is to be realised,” he said.

The chief pledged commitment to work with the government of the day in order to facilitate development in his chiefdom.”

Chief Sikufele also appealed to government to consider rehabilitating his house which has not been renovated since 1954.

And Mr Mwango said President Michael Sata recognises the important role traditional leaders play in fostering national unity and development adding that this is why he created the Ministry of chiefs for the very first time in the history of the country.

 

The deputy minister assured the Chief that his ministry would source for funds under the DMMU to renovate his house while arrangements are being made to construct him new palace as it was government’s programme to construct chiefs palaces countrywide.

 

Mr Mwango said chiefs are important government partners and that government will do everything possible to harmonise its relationship with government representatives at local level.

 

The deputy minister is on a tour of North western province to inspect disaster prone areas and checking on projects funded by DMMU.

 

 

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