GOVERNMENT to address road and health sectors challenges in chiefdoms.

Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba said shortly after the Kwanga ceremony of the Bena Ng’umbo, Unga, Chishinga and Mukulu of Samfya and Kawambwa districts that it is clear that many traditional leaders have challenges that need to be addressed and Government is alive to those challenges.
“The road network challenge is being addressed through the Link-Zambia 8,000 and those that are not on the project will equally be worked on in due course,” Mr Mwamba said.
Mr Mwamba said Government attaches great importance to the critical role traditional leaders play in development.
“It is for this reason that Government created the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs specifically to embrace traditional leaders as agents and partners in national development,” Mr Mwamba said.
Mr Mwamba said at the core of this ministry is rural development and promoting the well-being of the rural people as inspired by the Patriotic Front manifesto.
He said to realise this dream, the ministry will have officers in all districts to facilitate the smooth running of traditional events.
“I would like to appeal to our chiefs to take full advantage of the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs and use it as a vehicle for driving development through the many programmes the ministry has embarked on,” he said.
The minister said so far, seven officers have arrived in Luapula Province and have already been working to facilitate the smooth running of traditional events.
And Senior Chief Mwewa commended President Sata for giving traditional leaders’ affairs a priority.
“Among the noble consideration of this government has been the addition to the payroll, a situation that has motivated many traditional leaders countrywide,” Senior Chief Mwewa said.
The chief said a number of roads, education and health facilities still need a boost from Government.