Lungu calls on Chiefs to address succession challenges

President Edgar Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has called on traditional leaders in the country to work together in finding a solution to the challenge of succession.

The Head of State has reiterated his earlier advice to the House of Chiefs, namely to prepare and document family trees for the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs so that they can work together in the spirit of a united nation and mitigate the threat of succession crises from occurring.

President Lungu said this when he graced Umutomboko traditional ceremony in Mwansabombwe district at the invitation of Paramount Chief Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda – speaking people of Luapula province.

And President Lungu says government is committed to providing decent jobs for all Zambians and to delivering more households out of poverty.

He says the nation is enrolling more children in schools, providing better healthcare and casting the social security protection net wider –  from 42, 000 beneficiary households in 8 districts in 2011 to 242, 000 households in 78 districts in 2016.

He adds that government is working on many fronts to address the needs of the most vulnerable in the society.

President Lungu says Zambia will not realize its potential if people allow self-interest to undermine national interest saying this is what Zambia’s traditional ceremonies teach them.

He says Umutomboko is a source of great pride for all Zambians and a wonderful celebration of Lunda culture.