Chibbonta had immeasurable dedication-Katema

Chibbonta had immeasurable dedication-Katema

Lusaka, February15, 2015, ZANIS—Government has described the Late Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Permanent Secretary Coillard Chibbonta as an efficient man who moved the Ministry towards great success.

Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Joseph Katema said the late Mr. Chibbonta had immeasurable dedication to duty and outstanding human relations which made him work tirelessly to the satisfaction of government and the institution of Chieftaincy.

Dr. Katema said the late Mr.Chibbonta was a practical man whose principles can be attested through his interactions with all the Royal Highnesses and everyone that he worked with in the country.

 “It is difficult to eulogize a man like Mr. Chibbonta and how much harder to do so for an admiration of history for man who moved the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs towards efficiency,” said Dr Katema.

Dr. Katema further said that Mr.Chibbonta made a great contribution to government including that of providing motor vehicles to Chiefs as well as the realisation of the construction of Chief’s palaces during his tenure as Permanent Secretary.

“As government we are deeply saddened for the loss and to you the bereaved family we would like to share the sorrow in this great and difficult moment of enormous pain;” Dr. Katema said.

The Minister was speaking today during the Prayer Service for the late Mr. Chibbonta at his farm in Lusaka West before his burial at Memorial Park in Lusaka.

The late Mr.Chibbonta, 65, who he died on February 11 at the Lusaka Trust Hospital after an illness and is survived three (3) wives and 22 children.

Also present during the Church Service was former Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo who was recently appointed but yet to be sworn-in as Gender and Child Development Minister, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Peter Kasanda other senior government officials.

The late Mr. Chibbonta served in various portfolios of government before he died while serving as the only Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Chief and Traditional Affairs since it was created by the late president Michael Sata in 2012.

He also served as Clerk of the House of Chiefs from 2003 -2006 after being appointed by the Late President Levy Mwanawasa.

His appointment came shortly after President Mwanawasa re-established the House of Chiefs which had gone moribund for many years.

Permanent Secretaries including Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Wamunyima Muwana, North Western Province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga, Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Peter Mwaba, and Western Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Seyuba among others were pall bearers during the Prayer Service held at Mr Chibbonta’s farm in Lusaka West and later at the burial site at Leopards Hill Memorial Park.

Meanwhile, House of Chiefs Chairperson Chieftainess Nkomesha Mukamambo II led several Chiefs in laying wreaths at the grave of the late Mr. Chibbonta.

Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema was also present at the burial.