Govt will prioritize growth of tourism in Eastern Province – Lungu

President Edgar Lungu says Government will prioritize the growth of the tourism sector in its developmental programmes for Eastern Province.

President Lungu says this is because the province is endowed with natural resources that have a potential to boost economic growth of the province and the country.

He said this when graced this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni speaking people of Eastern Province yesterday.

President Lungu has also urged indigenous people to invest in the sector and establish guest houses and lodges as they contribute to the country’s economic growth.

He has however stressed the need to address poaching which has characterized a number of wildlife resorts saying it is depleting country’s wildlife.

And Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province who spoke through Senior Induna George Zulu expressed concern that some of the developmental programmes in the province stalled after the demise of President Michael Sata.

Paramount chief Mpezeni noted that contractors working on the Chipata/ Vubwi and Chaidza/ Chipata roads abandoned the projects after the death of the Head of State.

He also appealed to President Lungu to address challenges in the distribution of farming inputs to promote agriculture which he said is the driver of the economy in the province.

Paramount chief Mpezeni who also presented a shield and a spear to President Lungu and his Malawian counterparts said there is need to promote peace and unity.

Meanwhile, Malawi President Peter Mutharika said the promotion of culture brings about social and economic development for any democratic country.