MP sentiments anger chief

MP sentiments anger chief

Luwingu, February 20, Chief Chipalo of the Bemba speaking people of Luwingu has been angered by allegedly being called a care taker by Lubasenshi Member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka.

Chief Chipalo made the sentiments when Northern Provincial Minister Gerry Chanda and Northern Provincial Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika paid a courtesy call on him at his palace during their familiarisation tour to Luwingu at the weekend.

Chief Chipalo said it is disheartening to be called a care taker by an MP who also accused him of having given land to an investor instead of the parliamentarian concentrating on development initiatives that people are envying in the area.

He added that Mr Mucheleka has chosen to work in isolation and does not consult traditional leaders who stay with people for development projects in the chiefdom.

Chief Chipalo has declared a no go zone area in his chiefdom to Mr Mucheleka as he has no respect for him.

“I do not need him in my chiefdom because he has no respect for me and my subjects alleging that I gave land to Sable Company when the issue in question was done by consulting council,” Chief Chipalo said.

He revealed that he worked well with the MP in the past but wondered why things have changed.

The traditional leader has however, thanked the police in area for working hard in reducing crime through the involvement of Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU).

Chief Chipalo also said the PF government needs to be given chance and requested the nation to pray for President Sata for wisdom and God’s guidance.

Meanwhile, Northern Provincial Minister Gerry Chanda thanked Chief Chipalo for the warn welcome rendered to his entourage at the palace.

Col Chanda said chiefs are eyes of the government and no meaningful development can be achieved without their consent as they live with the people in their areas.

He said government has recognised chief’s efforts in improving the living standards of the people through working together with them.

Col Chanda said the PF government is eager to improving the welfare of chiefs through the construction and provision of electricity to palaces.

The Provincial Minister said in the past government used to provide vehicles to chiefs to enable them visit their subjects that needs to be looked into.

Col Chanda has also appealed to civil servants to work in collaboration with chiefs for productive and sustainable development.

He called public workers to emulate Zambia Police service in the area which is projecting the wish of the PF government’s policies and manifesto.

Col Chanda has however advised Lubasenshi MP Patrick Mucheleka to apologise to the traditional leader as working in confrontation with the chief is undesirable and disrespectful.

He added that the MP will not lose anything in apologising and instead will allow him work well in the area.