.LUNGU

By CHILA NAMAIKO and DELPHINE ZULU –

CHIEFS in Southern Province have said President Edgar Lungu is on the right track in fostering good governance and that he needs steady support to accelerate national development.
They are also happy with President Lungu for having taken a broad step, shortly after being elected as Head of State, to recognise Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people.
Chief Chikanta told journalists in Choma that the traditional leaders in the province would firmly support Mr Lungu’s positive steps of accelerating national development.
He said the chiefs in the area would work closely and support the PF because it was the Government of the day and chiefs were mandated to do so.
He urged President Lungu to continue implementing various development programmes which late President Michael Sata left to improve the welfare of all Zambians.
Chief Chikanta called for continued unity and peace and that people should refrain from acts of tribalism, saying Zambians were one people.
He said the traditional leaders in the province were looking forward to hosting President Lungu when he visits the area.
On the recognition of Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, Chief Chikanta said President Lungu had showed that he cared for the traditional leaders.
He said President Lungu had proved that he had a heart for the chiefs because the recognition of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu had been a thorny issue.
Chief Chikanta said the chiefs were also happy with Mr Lungu for appointing Inonge Wina as Vice-President who had become the first woman to hold the position in Zambia.
The Ukusefya pa Ngwena Traditional Ceremony organising committee has also commended President Lungu for recognising Mr Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.
The committee has further congratulated President Lungu on his election as Republican President.
Francis Mwamba, the outgoing chairperson of the committee, said President Lungu had demonstrated honesty and commitment by sticking to his pledge of recognising Mr Sosala has Paramount Chief Chitimukulu once ushered into office.
“Our committee was part of a meeting on the 25th of November 2014 in which President Edgar Lungu pledged to end this unfortunate wrangle that had been going on regarding the recognition of Henry Kanyanta Sosala as leader of the Bemba people and we are very grateful that he has done that immediately after taking up office,” Mr Mwamba said in a statement.
He urged all parties that perpetuated the inertia to recorgnise Mr Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu to quickly seek reconciliation with the chiefdom in a bid to create a favourable environment for widespread consultation in the governance process.
Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) and Kasama Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba have expressed happiness at Government’s decision to recognise Mr Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema said the recognition of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu by the Government was welcome and had brought relief to him and his subjects.
Mr Mwamba said during the same programme that the pronouncement had brought joy and peace in the Bemba Royal Establishment (BRE), especially that he underwent a lot of pressure and trauma.
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) also applauded the Government for recognising Mr Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.