By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE in Mazabuka –

•President Edgar Lungu (centre) accompanied by Minister of Commerce,Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe (left) and Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu (right) leaves Nakambala Sugar Estate after commissioning an US$80 Million Refinery plant yesterday in Mazabuka. Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has called on traditional leaders in Southern Province to help stop the political violence in the region, which has recorded the highest cases ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, President Lungu yesterday commissioned the Zambia Sugar Product Alignment and Refinery plant which is expected to create about 500 jobs.
Mr Lungu said when he met three traditional leaders in Mazabuka yesterday that the province was topping the list in violence cases followed by Lusaka Province.
The President told chiefs Naluwama, Mwanachingwala and Hanjalika that he would not get tired of reminding traditional leaders about their integral role of helping in maintaining peace in the country.
Mr Lungu said there was no need for bloodshed in order for people to win elections.
The Head of State said that as the country headed for elections on August 11,  there was need to co-exist regardless of political affiliations.
He said he had received reports about some people losing their lives, which was not good because Zambia was one.
Mr Lungu said Zambia was a haven of peace envied by many other countries around the globe and, as such, it should continue maintaining its good record of peace.
He urged the traditional leaders to encourage the youth in the province to respect and love one another by living in harmony even as they supported different political parties.
“Violence in this region of the country is worrying because that is where high levels have been recorded followed by Lusaka Province,” Mr Lungu said.
President Lungu also assured the traditional leaders that the Government would continue improving their well-being by building palaces for them.
The President also said he had received reports about some traditional leaders being unwell  and assured that the Government would facilitate for their treatment after receiving recommendations from doctors.
Chief Naluwama, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked Mr Lungu for ‎taking development to the province.
He said the traditional leaders were happy with the move and told Mr Lungu to feel at home in the province.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has commissioned the Zambia Sugar Product Alignment and Refinery Plant, saying Zambia could be a manufacturing hub.
He said the plant was not only vital to Zambia Sugar but to the nation as it would bring about development through the creation of wealth and jobs.
The refinery will double Zambia Sugar’s production capacity to 100,000 tonnes per annum.
Mr Lungu said the move was in line with the PF’s mandate of creating sustainable jobs and wealth for the local people.
He further said that the plant would contribute to socio-economic development.
President Lungu urged the company to increase the number of  small and medium enterprises participating in the value chain.
“This is the only sure way we can ensure that economic opportunities and benefits created from the company trickle down to our people ‎and, subsequently, help us reduce poverty,” Mr Lungu said.
The President said he was happy to see the level of investment by Zambia Sugar because it had responded to his Government’s policy and signified the confidence the company had in the economy.
Illovo Group managing director Gavin Dalgleish said the commissioning of the refinery marked a great milestone for the company and Zambia’s economy.
He said that K635 million was pumped into the project which would create 500 jobs.
Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe  said the commissioning of the plant would not only change the economic face of Mazabuka but that of Zambia as a whole.
The President is accompanied by Patriotic Front deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri, Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene, Ms Mwanakatwe, and his Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda.
Others are Special Assistant for Project Monitoring and Implementation Lucky Mulusa and other Government and PF officials.