North Western Chiefs back Lungu

President Lungu with First Lady Esther

Thirty two Chiefs from North Western Province have pledged their support to President Edgar Lungu in his quest to unite Zambians.

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs during a special meeting with President Lungu at State House this afternoon, Senior Chief Kanongesha assured the Head of State that he is not alone in his quest to unite the nation.

Senior Chief Kanongesha states that there is need for the traditional leadership, civic leaders, politicians, the church among others to sit down and strategies the modules of uniting the nation.

He says chiefs from North Western Province will always support issues of uniting the nation and taking development closer to the people.

Chief Kanongesha says this is why they responded quickly when invited by President Lungu to talk about issues that will take the nation forward.

Speaking earlier, President Lungu emphasized that he did not call the chiefs from North Western Province as a campaign gimmick ahead of the Solwezi East by-election following the death of area MP Humphrey Mwanza.

President Lungu says this is a trend he has adopted to meet all chiefs from all corners of the country.

President Lungu states that government cannot divorce chiefs as they take development closer to the people of Zambia.

He says he sees it fit to call on traditional leaders to get first hand information and see how together they can develop the nation.

And Chief Ntambu appealed to government to consider creating new districts in north western province, construct a university, an Agriculture Training College, and a bridge on Zambezi River to connect Zambezi West and Zambezi East.

Chief Ntambu, who is also House of Chiefs Deputy Chairperson, says the province also needs a referral hospital, the relocation of the Provincial headquarters from Solwezi to Mufumbwe and the establishment of a High Court in Solwezi.