By CHILA NAMAIKO –

in Chinsali
SENIOR Chief Nkula of the Bemba people of Chinsali District has commended President Lungu for working hard to complete various infrastructural projects that were launched by late president Michael Sata.
He was grateful to Mr Lungu for his quest to complete and initiate new other development projects that Mr Sata started aimed at bringing about national development.
The traditional leader was speaking at his palace yesterday when President Lungu called on him.
“I am happy you (President Lungu) have continued from where our late President left, that’s why the people of Zambia elected you because you are also uniting the country,” he said.
He praised Government for the ongoing construction of the Robert Makasa and Paul Mushindo Universities in his chiefdom which he said would increase access to higher education and reduce cases of child marriages.
“In the history of this country, it has never happened for any chiefdom to have two universities, but this Government has done it, which should be commended by all well-meaning Zambians,” he said.
On the forthcoming general elections, the chief said his desire was to see peace and unity and that he would not tolerate those championing political violence in his area.
He would soon hold talks with his counterparts to find ways of sensitising communities to refrain from political violence ahead of the August 11 elections.
The chief was also championing the crusade against gender based violence and that he was promoting formation of agricultural cooperatives in his chiefdom.
President Lungu, in response, was happy with the support from traditional leaders and assured Chief Nkula of his continued cooperation.
“I want to encourage you to continue with your remarkable efforts to curb child marriages, GBV and other vices that hamper young people’s progression,” he said.
The Head of State called on the chief to help combat the illegal cutting down of the famous mukula tree.
He said traditional leaders should be encouraged to take a more proactive role in the governance of the country hence his pledge to work with them.