— Chief Chipepo hails govt for bringing development to Chirundu District

Chief Chipepo hails govt for  bringing development to Chirundu District

Chirundu, September 28,2014,ZANIS—–Chief Chipepo of the Tonga people of Chirundu District of Lusaka Province has hailed government for taking development to the area.

And Lusaka Province Minister Philip Kosamu says President Michael Sata’s development plan for the Tonga people of Zambezi Valley is aimed at accelerating and sustaining development in the area.

Meanwhile, Northmead Assemblies of God Bishop Joshua Banda says peace is a prerequisite for national development.

Chief Chipepo says his chiefdom was grateful to President Sata and his administration for spurring various development projects in the district and beyond.

He said the successful completion and commissioning of the Michael Chilufya Sata Bridge over the Kafue River and the ongoing construction of the Bottom Road among others was one of the notable indicators of government’s focus on developing the district.

ZANIS reports that the traditional ruler said this during the 2nd ever Zambangulwe traditional ceremony of the Tonga people of Zambezi Valley in Chirundu District held at the historical "Ng’ombe Ilede yesterday.

"These and many other ongoing developmental projects is a clear testimony of political will exhibited by President Sata’s administration for the people of this area", he said.

The traditional leader said his subjects are happy with various ongoing developmental programmes speared by government in chiefdom since the PF formed government.

"The completion of the bottom road and commissioning of the Michael Chilufya Sata Bridge over the Kafue River will all connect the area to Southern Province", he added.

Chief Chipepo has since called for unity of purpose in order to support ongoing development projects in the area.

And speaking at the same function, Lusaka Province Minister Philip Kosamu said President Michael Sata said declared Chirundu as a district in order to speed up development.

Mr. Kosamu who is also Serenje Central Member of Parliament said alongside the Bottom road, government is also upgrading Ng’ombe lllede to promote tourism and food production.

He explained that the road will be extended to Chirundu via Sitinkwi and Simaundu aimed at enhancing development in the area.

"The road will also make it easy for people to access services such as health and education as well as transportation of agricultural produce to the market", he said.

Earlier, Northmead Assemblies of God Bishop Joshua Banda said the church will continue to promote peace, offer spiritual and humanitarian support to the people.

Dr. Banda who is also National Aids Council (NAC) chairperson implored government, Zambezi River Authority and displaced people to find ways of enabling the former accrue benefits from the construction of Kariba Dam.

"We would like to urge the government and other stakeholders involved in the construction of the Kariba Dam to discuss the welfare of the people of Chipepo,” he said.

The clergyman further urged stakeholders to do more in improving the welfare of the local people as a token of appreciation for making it possible for Kariba Dam to be built.

The construction of Lake Kariba which is the largest man-made lake in Africa, led to the displacement of the people from their fertile ancestral land into the valley.

The Tonga people initially resisted re-location to pave way for the construction of Kariba Dam and fought a war dubbed "Chisamu War" on 10th September, 1958.

This "War" was declared by Britain during the Kariba Dam construction and 8 people were shot from Sialuselo village.

Siavonga Member of Parliament, Kennedy Hamudulu, several Chiefs from both neighbouring Zimbabwe and Zambia,senior government officials attended the ceremony.