Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo says he is impressed with the works done so far at Senior Chief Nkula’s palace.

Mr Nkombo says the Zambia Correctional Services (ZCS) in Muchinga Province engaged to carry out the works have proved to have the capacity to undertake the project.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) shortly after touring Senior Chief Nkula’s palace under construction in Chinsali District, yesterday, the minister said  the commitment and commitment exhibited in the construction of Senior Chief Nkula’s Palace is commendable.

“Am grateful to the Zambia Correctional Services for the quality of works on infrastructure development being done here at Chief Nkula’s palace and the nation at large,” he said.

The Minister noted that he is also happy to see that all the eight palaces in the province are at the same level adding that the works will be completed soon.

Construction of the palaces shows Government’s commitment to working closely with traditional leaders to enhance their living and working environments.

“This shows that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that government increased is impacting on the local people including the traditional leaders in all the chiefdoms,” he said.

Mr Nkombo added that President Hakainde Hichilema should be appreciated for ensuring that his promises are being implemented through CDF among other projects.

And Mr Nkombo has however called on other Chiefs were works has not yet started to have patience adding that soon works will resume after the first phase.

He said Government will remain determined and focused in uplifting the lives of all traditional leaders wherever they are.

“This is a great move government embarked on and should be praised by each and every person, each Chief will benefit through living in a conducive environment,” he said.

Mr Nkombo further hailed the ZCS saying the pace at which they are moving he is pretty sure that the project will be completed according to the time frame.

And Zambia Correctional Service Provincial Engineer Ruth Chanda told the Minister that works in all the eight (8) palaces in the province are going on very well and at the same pace.

“Works here are going on very well, we are now at ring beam level even in the other eight palaces in the province,” she said.

Engineer Chanda said her institution has not faced any challenges in all the eight palaces where works are under way.

She further added that she is optimistic that the palace together with the conference room and two (2) retainer houses will be completed by September this year as scheduled.

Meanwhile, Engineer Chanda further disclosed that the service has also been given a go ahead to construct a palace for Chief Kabanda in Shiwang’andu District whose works has since started.

Muchinga Province benefited Eight (8) palaces in the first phase whose works which  started early this year are currently underway.