• PRESIDENT Lungu addresses a rally in Kapiri Mposhi yesterday. Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

By JAMES KUNDA and  SYLVESTER MWALE –

TRADITIONAL leaders in Ngabwe District have told President Edgar Lungu that people in the area are geared to vote for him in the forthcoming general elections.
Meanwhile, the Head of State has assured people in the district that the Patriotic Front (PF) means well for the welfare of every Zambian.
Chiefs Mukubwe and Ngabwe of the Lenje and Lima-Lenje people, respectively, assured President Lungu of a resounding victory in the August 11 polls.
The duo said this yesterday when Mr Lungu, who was in the area for a working visit, called on them.
“Your Excellency, you are the first sitting Head of State to visit us and let me assure you that the people here are with you.
“PF has responded favourably to our call for Ngabwe to be designated as a district and this has led to rapid development,” Chief Mukubwe said.
He said the area had witnessed the development of infrastructure in sectors such as health and housing.
The traditional leader urged the President to ensure that contractors engaged on developmental projects did their work urgently and efficiently.
Chief Mukubwe thanked the President for increasing chiefs and retainers’ allowances as the move will ease the operations of traditional leaders.
He also condemned the political violence witnessed ahead of the elections.
Chief Ngabwe wished the Head of State well ahead of next month’s polls.
In response, President Lungu said the Government would seriously look into the social and economic challenges affecting the area.
“We have vigorous development programmes in all sectors among them health and education and your royal highnesses let me assure you that we are doing everything possible to uplift the living standards of our people in Ngabwe,” the President said.
Mr Lungu, who was accompanied by his campaign manager Samuel Mukupa, deputy Frank Bwalya and party deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri, also toured selected developmental projects.
Among, the facilities visited was the site which will house the new Ngabwe police station and camp.
He also toured the site designated for the new district administration block, council and post office.
After the tour, Mr Lungu urged provincial ministers and permanent secretaries to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance in facilitating timely project completion.
This follows reports of dragging construction projects in some parts of the country on the pretext that Zambian contractors in particular were incompetent.
“Well, we can’t criticise everyone because there are some Zambian contractors who are doing a good job elsewhere. So I urge people responsible for projects; the ministers and permanent secretaries to work closely with the Treasury which deals with a lot of competing needs,” the Head of State said.
Meanwhile, addressing a campaign rally at Mumba Chala Secondary School, the Head of State said the people should vote for leaders who stood for peace.
The President said some politicians did not respect the electorate as they had been found in the possession of offensive weapons while refusing  to sign peace accords and attending national prayers.
“Such people do not mean well at all. So, please vote for peace, vote for PF,  vote on the boat,” President Lungu told the jubilant crowd. Mr Lungu pledged to complete all developmental projects earmarked for the area as the people of Ngabwe deserved access to quality social services.
“If you want development, vote for PF, vote on the boat. PF will complete all the developmental projects including those left by late president Michael Sata because we do not promise the people lies, we cannot insult your intelligence,” he said.
He urged the people to vote for PF aspiring Lufubu Constituency Member of Parliament Gift Chiyalika and his counterparts contesting for ward and council chairperson positions.