Ndola — FIRST Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda, has commended Government for successfully hosting the just - ended 27th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government summit.

Dr Kaunda said in an interview yesterday he was happy with the organisation of the summit and commended the Heads of State and Government for what he called a 'job well done'.

Dr Kaunda said what SADC had done to form the brigade was a clear testimony that the regional grouping was moving in the right direction. It was his desire that future summits would be as successful as the just-ended one so as to move quickly towards the African Union (AU) stage.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni also congratulated President Mwanawasa for assuming the chairmanship of SADC saying the gesture would enable Zambia develop. Chief Mpezeni said despite the country having enough natural resources, Zambia had lagged behind in terms of development.

He said this in Lusaka yesterday at a meeting attended by Senior Chief Nzamane which was organised by Chisamba member of Parliament (MP) Moses Muteteka.

The traditional leader said he had moved even to desert places like Libya but that the levels of development in such countries were impressive.

With Mr Mwanawasa assuming the chairmanship of the regional grouping, the Paramount Chief envisaged Zambia developing. It was an honour for a Zambian leader to assume the chairmanship of SADC.

He also commended Government for its efforts to complete the Chipata-Mchinji rail line saying it would enable the province to be at par with others like the North-Western Province where mining activities were on the increase.

He said he was confident that the project would be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni also said the Keep Zambia Clean and Healthy campaign was bearing results saying Lusaka now looked much cleaner than before.

He said even other provinces were effecting the campaign which he said would help rid the country of some waterborne diseases like cholera.

Zambia Development Conference (ZDC) chairperson, Langton Sichone, said he was happy that the conference was held in a peaceful atmosphere.

Mr Sichone said Zambians had been known to be peaceful and the behaviour exhibited during the summit was a true reflection of the people.

"SADC is our own baby born on our soil and Zambians exhibited the spirit of hospitality. Issues raised during the summit are important," Mr Sichone said.