EAST PS COUNSELS CHIEFS ON PEACE

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 14:09:02 +0000

By Annie Zulu

TRADITIONAL leaders must learn to resolve their wrangles amicably, especially those involving land, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo has said.

Mr Kasolo said land must be effectively and efficiently administered as it had a potential to bring civil war if not properly handled.  He noted that most countries have had civil wars, because of land.

Mr Kasolo was speaking at the Tuwimba traditional ceremony of the Nsenga people in Nyimba.

The ceremony was held under the theme, “Promoting National Development by Preserving Culture and Tradition for the future Generations in Fighting Gende- Based Violence GBV, Early and Child Marriages and HIV and AIDS,”

Mr Kasolo said chiefs should not allow divisions due to land wrangles but maintain peace in the administration of the precious resource.

He advised the Nsenga chiefs to rise above their differences and unite.  Mr Kasolo observed that there were 10 Nsenga chiefs in the province and that only a few were present at the ceremony, signifying differences among traditional leaders.

He said Government recognised the contribution of traditional leaders towards effective governance of communities in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Kasolo reiterated Government’s commitment to accelerating the implementation of road projects as a means of improving connectivity and transportation of goods and services.

He said Government had identified a number of Greenfield railway projects that will link the country to the Eastern and Western ports of Africa through Serenje via Petauke linking the country to the port of Nacala in Mozambique.

Mr Kasolo also stressed Government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote creativity to stimulate self-reliance among people in the Eastern Province.

And chiefs in Nyimba have praised President Edgar Lungu for spearheading the fight against child and early pregnancies in the country.

The four traditional leaders said through secretary of the Nsenga Royal Association, Festus Phiri, that the Head of State was conferred as champion of GBV, early marriages and HIV and AIDS because of his contributions in the fight against the social vices.

Mr Phiri also stated that all chiefs in Nyimba support the stance taken by the President making it mandatory for all people seeking health care services to undergo routine counselling and testing to make those found positive access treatment early.

The traditional leaders also appealed to Government to expedite the construction of phase two of Nyimba District Hospital.