Fri, 23 Feb 2018 08:05:14 +0000
By VIOLET TEMBO
THE Lama – Lima Royal Council (LLRC) committee chairperson Joseph Nsundwe has commended President Edger Lungu over his decision to reshuffle his cabinet.
Mr. Nsundwe said the shift will enable the government to deliver and seal loopholes which had resulted in certain sectors not registering progress.
Mr. Nsundwe said the subjects in the Lamba land were expecting to witness development being spearheaded in the agriculture, education and livestock sectors respectively.
The council has since appealed to the new Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo to resolve lapses in the implementation of the electronic voucher system.
He pointed out that challenges faced in the 2017/2018 farming season had resulted in many farmers failing to access farming inputs.
“The agriculture sector is critical to the economy, especially for settlers in Lamba land. Majority of the subjects are involved in land cultivation to make ends meet. The Ministry of Agriculture needs to timely prepare for the 2018/2019 farming season.
“We are confident that with the reshuffles made, those appointed will deliver to the expectations of the farmers countrywide,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nsundwe has advised the Masaiti PF executive not to be rigid to constructive criticism.
Reacting to accusation by the Masaiti PF district chairperson that the council housed UPND sympathisers, Mr. Nsundwe rubbished the allegation.
He said the appeal by the council for the firing of non-performing ministers was genuine because it was the voice of the subjects.
He said subjects in Lamba land had complained over non delivery of farming inputs for 2017/2018 farming season and stagnant growth of the livestock sector.
He advised the PF officials in Masaiti to show leadership by speaking about the reality of the challenges that communities were facing in the district in various sectors.
“The call by the council to the Head of State to drop non-performing ministers, received mixed reaction when it appeared in Daily Nation on the 20th December 2018; and the PF in Masaiti labelled us to be UPND sympathisers but that is not the issue at hand.
“As a council, we find the allegation by the officials as unprofessional and we advise them to respond favourably whenever such matter arises. They are behaving like a resistant support pressure group.
“Let them avoid protecting their positions unjustifiably for their poor work performance and remember that they have people they are representing and a party whose reputation they have to protect,” he said.
Mr. Nsundwe clarified that the council was an establishment that propelled for service delivery on behalf of the lamba subjects.
He said the council was non-partisan and resisted the desire of repressing the traditional system.
He has advised the PF leadership in Masaiti to emulate President Lungu to help him realise the developmental plan for the district.
