PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has urged traditional leaders to offer their leadership not only to a specific tribal identity but for the entire nation.
President Hichilema called on chiefs not to represent an identity but to offer leadership that cut across all ethnic groups.
He said chiefs are not only at the centre but also an active ingredient of national development
He was speaking during the official opening of the first meeting of the sixth House of Chiefs which was held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Hichilema said traditional leaders share the same obligation with the government which is to serve the people.
“The United party for National Development (UPND) administration does not only respect but also acknowledges the role of the chiefs in promoting peace and unity, I urge you chiefs not to entertain the scenes of tribalism and ethnicity,” President Hichilema said.
He noted that Zambia celebrates its unity and this should not be allowed to be destroyed by a handful of selfish individuals.
President Hichilema advised the chiefs to scrutinise the cabinet and see whether it qualifies to be called a nation after including the people from the regions where the UPND did not get votes.
He said the government believes that all the people share equal opportunities in the affairs of the country and also rged chiefs to help the government fulfil its mandate to save the people. – ZANIS
“Government wants to reconstruct the broken economy that was damaged in the past 10 years, this can be seen from the shrinking economy and how the debt went up in the last 10 years which came about by reckless borrowing and affected the service delivery to the citizens,” The President stated.
President Hichilema assured the traditional leaders that government wants to unlock the opportunities and seize opportunities to get to the top.
The President also said the cost of fertiliser is not exclusive to Zambia, but everywhere in the world due to wars in Ukraine.
He however pledged to work with chiefs to enhance agriculture and produce food through good management of land.
President Hichilema promised that Government will roll up the agriculture support to promote the sector growth by securing markets for farmers across the region.
The President also reminded the chiefs not to issue unnecessary licences for minerals as was the case with the previous government.
He said government will not allow leaders to issue licences to people who do not bring benefits to the local people.
– ZANIS.
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