Chief Lundu of the Senga people in Chama District in the Eastern Province has welcomed the declaration of the current dry spell as a national disaster and emergency by President Hakainde Hichilema.

Chief Lundu told ZANIS in an interview that President Hakainde Hichilema should be commended for the great step he has taken.

The traditional leader stated that the Zambian citizens are aware that most parts of the country are hit by the dry spell which will result in hunger hence the step taken by the President is commendable.

He said the act by President Hichilema will help the government to lobby well-wishers in a bid to fight the hunger situation which will be experienced in some parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Chief Lundu explained that his chiefdom has not been affected by the dry spell, saying the chiefdom is expected to record a bumper harvest.

Chief Lundu added that his chiefdom has received consistent rains since last year till around now.

“We expect to record a bumper harvest and be able to contribute maize grain to the parts of the country adversely affected by prolonged dry spells,” he said.

He further called on residents in his chiefdom to take advantage of the favorable rainfall pattern experienced in the area by taking farming seriously.

“We should not depend on relief food from the government. Instead, let’s take farming seriously with these rains we have,” Chief Lundu said.

He said the Government should concentrate on the areas that are most hit, adding that those hit by the dry spell are already vulnerable.

On Thursday last week, President Hichilema declared the prolonged dry spell in the country as a National Disaster and Emergency, and committed that national resources will be directed towards mitigating the effects of the disaster including food insecurity.