Kaonde chiefs/Nsakwa demand mining benefits

Kaonde chiefs/Nsakwa demand mining benefits

Solwezi, Nov 25, 2014, The Kaonde chiefs of North-western and Central provinces in collaboration with Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde Cultural Association national executive are demanding that the extractive industries in the area must give 20 percent shares to local communities through a Trust Fund.

The group which met for a consultative meeting in Kasempa at the weekend is also demanding that Kaonde traditional leaders should also be paid management fees as opposed to just hand-outs.

ZANIS in Solwezi reports that this is contained a 10 – point communiqué which has been addressed to the attention of the next Republican President who will be elected in the forthcoming Presidential by-elections slated for January 20, 2015. 

They further appeal that the rail line between Chingola and Angola be done and the road between Mumbwa and Kasempa be tarred while bridges should be constructed on Lunga and Kafue rivers.

 The communiqué is signed by Senior Chief Kasempa made available to ZANIS in Solwezi today outlining resolutions the traditional leaders made during a meeting with the Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde Cultural Association National Executive.

 Senior Chief Kasempa signed the communiqué on behalf of other Kaonde chiefs who included Chiefs Ingwe, Matebo, Mumena, Kizela and Mubambe from North-western province and Chiefs Mumba and Kaindu from Central province.

 The chiefs further demanded for the establishment of a treasury account in all chiefdoms so that development in those areas through the central government fiscal financing could be properly administered.

They said general development in the province should be with the participation of chiefs and their official organs, adding that official communication by any organ in the area should be made through the Royal Council of Chiefs of Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde and their official representatives.

 They have also appealed for the urgent electrification of chiefs’ palaces and creation of new constituencies in Kasempa, Mufumbwe and Solwezi west.