By PRISCA LUMINGU-BANDA in Chitambo
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has called on the traditional leadership in Central Province to take a lead and encourage their subjects to register as voters ahead of 2021 general elections in order to determine how problems encountered could be resolved.
And President Lungu said the voting pattern in the 2021 general elections will determine the solution to constitution Amendment Bill no 10 which collapsed.
President Lungu said it was time that the issue of bill 10 was put aside and focus on getting people registered as voters.
President Lungu said this when he was responding to concerns which were raised by the traditional leadership of Chitamba and Serenje yesterday.
“Bill 10 had good things, now you our traditional leadership should take a lead and register as voters. This will encourage your subjects to register so that in 2021 you vote for the people who will listen to you,” President Lungu said. He said it was unfortunate that some members of parliament took the issue of Bill10 lightly and rejected the bill without realizing how detrimental their decision would be.
The Head of State said this was the reason why a lot of people should register as voters in order to make the right decisions in next year’s general election.
He said in next year’s general elections it was important that people voted for right members of parliament who will take seriously issues of national interest.
And speaking earlier Chief Chitambo assured President Edgar Lungu of the traditional leadership’s support.
And in response, President Lungu said development had no finish line and that government would ensure that it improves on all developmental projects which were still lagging behind.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the traditional leadership in Serenje, Chief Chibale said the traditional leadership in the district was happy with President Lungu’s governance system.
And President Edgar Lungu says the setting up of processing plants countrywide will contribute to job creation, reports ZNBC . The President said yesterday the programme is also in line with government’s desire to promote value addition.
He says the setting up of a Cassava processing plant in Chitambo will create jobs for skilled and unskilled work force.
Speaking when he toured the Agriculture productivity and enhancement project in Chitambo yesterday, President Lungu said the plant will provide ready market for Cassava growers.
The President said government will continue helping the private sector to set up processing plants in rural areas where the raw materials are grown.
And speaking in an interview with ZNBC News, Chitambo District Agriculture Coordinating Officer, Katumwa Mutandi said works on the plant will be completed in the next few weeks.
Mr. Mutandi said the plant will produce ethanol in addition to other cassava products.
He said management at the plant has already found market for the products that will be produced at the plant.
He said Cassava farmers from Mpika, Kasama, and other districts will be able to sell their produce to the plant.
Register to vote, Lungu tells Chiefs
