PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has appreciated the contribution that traditional leaders play in national development amid the adverse effects of climate change.
Mr Hichilema says traditional leaders have been working effectively with the government towards implementing various policies that help to counter the impact of climate change.
In a speech read on his behalf by Muchinga Province Minister, Henry Sikazwe, during the 2024 Ng’ondo traditional ceremony of the Iwa-Namwanga people of Isoka District yesterday, Mr Hichilema charged that the government will remain determined to fight the challenges being faced due to climate change through continued collaboration with traditional leaders.
He stated that Government introduced the emergency wetland inputs provision to allow farmers to produce maize using irrigation, adding that traditional leaders have been engaged to support the initiative.
“Furthermore, I wish to reiterate our commitment towards taking care of our Chief’s affairs as evidenced through the construction of Chiefs palaces and I am happy to note that Chief Kafwimbi’s palace is one of them under construction,” he added.
The Head of State further emphasised that matters of Chieftaincy and traditional affairs should be left to be handled by their royal establishments.
And Chief Kafwimbi of the Iwa-Namwanga people of Isoka District thanked the government for considering his chiefdom in many developmental projects through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Chief Kafwimbi said CDF has been a great milestone in his Chiefdom especially in the health and education sectors.
He said many schools in his chiefdom have been equipped with desks, stressing that he has further made strides of ensuring that children who dropped out of school are returned.
“I have also encouraged those that could not return to school to apply for skills development programmes at Isoka Trades Institute through the skills development component under CDF,” he added.
The tradional leader further called on the people of Isoka to be united through supporting the national and traditional leadership despite their various political affiliations.
Meanwhile, Isoka Member of Parliament, Majory Nakaponda, appealed to the government to consider expediting the construction of Michael Chilufya Sata Girls Boarding school which has stalled for a long time.
Ms Nakaponda lamented that currently, learners from the school are squatting at Isoka Boys Secondary School, adding that the situation has led to an increase in teen pregnancies at the institution.
“The completion of that education facility will really help us protect our girl children from many bad vices,” she said.
The Ng’ondo traditional ceremony was attended by various Chiefs from around Muchinga Province and senior government officials among others.
