Traditional leader appreciates development
Nchelenge, June 25, ZANIS ——- A traditional leader in Nchelenge district has described as unprecedented the high number of developmental projects being undertaken in his area.
Sub-Chief Munkombwe of the Lunda people says his area has seen more development in the one year and nine months the Patriotic Front (PF) government has been in power than the 27 years under the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and the 20 years under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) combined.
ZANIS reports that the traditional leader has hailed government for constructing bridges across all rivers and streams in his area, embarking on the rehabilitation of the Kabuta-Munkombwe road and also for sinking nine boreholes.
Sub-Chief Munkombwe said this when Nchelenge District Commissioner, Royd Chakaba and Council Secretary, Mabvuto Masiye paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday.
The traditional leader has also supported the move by government to remove subsidies on maize and fuel.
He said his subjects have not benefited from the subsidies as they do not own cars and do not buy mealie- meal but instead use bicycles and grow their own cassava and maize to feed their families.
The Sub-Chief however appealed to government to consider constructing a health facility for his subjects, adding that currently people in the area are forced to travel across the Kalungwishi river into the neigbouring Kaputa district to access health services at Nkosha clinic.
He explained that the other area where health services are sought is in Mununga area which is very far and is located in Chienge district.
Sub-Chief Munkombwe also appealed to government to assist him with the reconstruction of his palace which got burnt about two years ago, adding that he has since been sleeping in a tent following the fire that also burnt most of his household goods.
And Nchelenge District Commissioner, Royd Chakaba said government is determined to provide development to the people in the country especially those living in remote parts.
Mr Chakaba said government is aware of the various challenges facing Munkombwe area and will ensure that they are all addressed.
He said government under the Ministry of Health will construct a health facility that will have admission wards, laboratory services and many other advanced services to enable the people in the area to access quality health services.
He said government has embarked on rehabilitation of the roads and bridges in Munkombwe to ease the challenges that are faced in transporting crops from the area.
The District Commissioner who was also accompanied by Nchelenge Dsitrict Political Secretary, George Chalwe and District Council Director of Works, Chibwe Kasanda called on residents of Munkombwe to support the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel by government.
He said it is from the removal of the subsidies where huge savings of money will be made to finance developmental projects in rural areas.
The District Commissioner and the Council Secretary were in Munkombwe to hand over two Banana boats and two five horse power marine engines procured under the 2012 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to residents in Kapema and Munkombwe areas who are faced with challenges of transport across the Kalungwishi river.