By PETER SICHALI
THE current crop of MPs have continued to operate without the involvement of traditional leaders in matters of Devel-opment, unlike in the past, Paramount Chitimukulu has said.
The Chief said in the pre-independence legislators were always in touch with the people they were representing through chiefs and village headmen.
He observed that lack of collaboration between Traditional council and Members of Parliament was hindering development in the country.
“Previously we had MPs who would always meet the traditional leaders before going to Parliament formerly known as the Legislative Council so as to get views on matters that could be presented and would always comeback to give feedback,” Chitimukulu said.
He said traditional leaders have been sidelined because civil servants think they are not educated enough to contribute to national develop-ment.
The Mwinelubemba said most current MPs stop communicating with chiefs immediately they are elected into office and wondered what is-sues they raise in parliament on behalf of the people.
The traditional leader said it was important for MPs to work with chiefs if meaningful development is to be realised.
“Nomba lelo ngatwamusalafye ninshi yonse ama problem tukwete aishiba (now today if you vote for them automatically know you know problems and start working in isolation,” he said.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said MPs should be accountable to the people they were representing.
“It is the mandate of the MP to know challenges people were facing and lobby for development of the constituency and that would only be possi-ble if MPs work closely with traditional leaders,” Mwinelubemba said.
Lack of cooperation hinders development – Chitimukulu
