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Zambia: Masebo Counsels Chiefs
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
12 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
THE Government has advised traditional rulers to use the recently-procured vehicles to monitor development projects because they are part of the State's development process.
The State has, meanwhile, reiterated its call to traditional leaders to resolve boundary and succession wrangles amicably.
The trend by chiefs to quarrel over who should ascend to the throne of a particular chiefdom was worrying the Government and, therefore, called for the proper scrutiny of the family trees.
Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo said this in Lusaka yesterday during the ceremonial hand-over of 150 vehicles to chiefs.
The vehicles for traditional leaders were procured from Japan at a cost of K6.3 billion, and Ms Masebo said another 136 for the remaining traditional leaders should arrive in the country before the end of the year.
"Every time the President recognises somebody as a chief there is a dispute, and as Government we have now decided to look at the family trees so that once somebody dies, we have no succession problems because we should have the records from the House of Chiefs, the local council and everybody else," Masebo said.
Ms Masebo also told traditional leaders that they were part of the Government and, therefore, should not condemn but support the developmental programmes. She said that condemning the Government was tantamount to condemning themselves.
She said that as traditional leaders, they should support the Government in power other than attempting to be antagonising each other.
Ms Masebo further said that by the end of the year, the policy on chiefs would have been finalised. Currently, she said that the policy was awaiting the approval by Cabinet.
She also implored traditional leaders not to deny land for developmental programmes to genuine investors.
Most of the donors, Ms Masebo said, wanted to put up schools and hospitals which would benefit the chiefdoms but regrettably, some traditional leaders denied such an opportunity to access land.
"If donors or Government is asking for land for development, you should not be difficult. I am aware that there are some chiefs who are helpful but still there are some who are not. My appeal to the House of Chiefs is to assist us," Ms Masebo said.
Constitutionally, Ms Masebo said that the President had powers to take away land from the traditional rulers but had not done so for the sake of harmony.
On the purchased vehicles, Ms Masebo said that the Government offered vehicle loans to traditional rulers so that they could easily visit their chiefdoms.
She said that many had not been visiting their chiefdoms owing to transport problems but that the scenario should now change.
Since the vehicles were procured through loans, they would remain the property of the Government until the amounts have been recovered. She also said that a recovery of 50 per cent of the applicant's monthly subsidy would be made and the loans would attract an interest of five per cent per annum.
"Maintenance and fuel costs shall be borne by the owner. However, fuel allowances shall be given when a chief is on official assignment by the Government," Ms Masebo said.
Speaking earlier, House of Chiefs chairperson, Chief Mumena commended the Government for the loan facility, saying it was the first time in the country's history that it was happening.
"This is a moment in the life time as this is the first time that transport is being offered to make governance easier," the traditional leader said.
The gesture, the chief said, was an indication of the cordial relationship between the Government and the traditional rulers.
Clerk of the House of Chiefs, Coillard Chibbonta said that with the vehicles in place, traditional leaders should not give any excuse for failing to visit their chiefdoms.
By offering the chiefs vehicle loans, he said that both the Government and the citizens expected them to deliver to their expectations.
Transport Aid Japan director, Leigh Berg commended the Government for the economic gains achieved so far.
Mr Berg said the Government was offering an enabling environment for investment and more would be lured to Zambia.
He said that Transport Aid Japan had been dealing with the Government at various levels and hoped that the interactions would even be strengthened further.
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Moving a vote of thanks, House of Chiefs vice-chairperson, Senior Chief Nzamane said most traditional leaders were complaining about transport problems which he anticipated should now come to an end.
He commended the Government and President Mwanawasa in particular for the gesture.
Several traditional leaders, who included Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, attended the ceremony.
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| Copyright © 2008 The Times of Zambia. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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