Ndola — VICE PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said he will not listen to detractors but concentrate on the development of the country.

Mr Banda has also said the Government values the role of traditional ceremonies as a tool for tourism promotion.

The vice president was in Livingstone to officiate at the Lwiindi Ceremony of the Toka Leya in Kazungula.

Mr Banda said on arrival at Livingstone International Airport yesterday that he wouldlistento the people of Zambia and not detractors.

"I am not listening to detractors. I will listen to you the people of Zambia," Mr Banda said.

Earlier, Southern Province MMD secretary Emmanuel Siamweela commended the vice president for leading the country without listening to detractors.

"Despite detractors saying all sorts of things, you have continued to be focused in governing the country," Mr Siamweela said.

He called on the Vice President toassist mitigate the effects of hunger in the province.

Mr Siamweela said hunger was devastatingpeople in areas like Mandia and in other rural areas of Livingstone.

"We also ask you to tackle the issues of soaring mealie meal prices. The mealie meal prices are too high in the country," Mr Siamweela said.

Later at the Lwiindi ceremony at Chief Mukuni's palace, the vice president said traditional ceremonies demonstrated the richness of the Zambian culture and protected it against western and global cultural influences.

The vice president was accompanied by Presidential Affairs Minister Cecil homes, Community Development Minister Catherine Namugala, Finance Deputy Minister Jonas Shakafuswa, the President's special assistant for press and public relations, John Musukuma, Chief Gawa Undi of Chewa and Chieftainess Nkomeshya of the Soli.

Dancing and ululating characterised the ceremony, which was also attended by Chiefs Hwange of Zimbabwe, Paramount Chiefs Kalonga Gawa Undi, and Paramount Chief Mpezeni.

Others were Chief Nzamane, Chief Kashiba of Mwense, Chief Chibesakunda of the Bisa, Chief Mweemba, Chief Sekute and Chief Chipepo of Gwembe District.

The ceremony signifies the migration of the Bene Mukuni and Mukuni Ng'ombe ethnic groups from the Kingdom of Kola in present day Congo DR, into central, eastern and southern Zambia as well as northern Zimbabwe.

The vice president, who thanked Zambians for continuing to pray for Dr Mwanawasa's quick recovery, said that traditional ceremonies were important because they enabled communities to assimilate the values, customs and traditions of ethnic groups.

"My Government values the hosting of traditional ceremonies because we respect the history and heritage of ethnic groups," Mr Banda said.

He commended Chief Mukuni for his contribution to the tourism sector by promoting cultural tourism and for his efforts in supporting cultural industries in his area like handicrafts, curios and souvenirs.

He said the Government was currently working towards building the capacity of cultural agents by promoting the provision of cultural infrastructure such as the construction of the Maramba Cultural Village in Livingstone.

The village will house theatres, arts galleries, handicraft and curio workshops, sales stores and other facilities to support the training, production and marketing of culture and tourism.

The Government was determined to ensure the holistic development of the tourist capital and surrounding areas with a key focus on the welfare of the people.

On roads in Southern Province, Mr Banda said Government had contracted CGC to start rehabilitation works on the Zimba-Livingstone Road and the Choma-Chitongo Road.

He said rehabilitation works were also under way on the Itezhi Tezhi-Namwala route while the Batoka-Maamba and the Kalomo-Kabanga roads were also under periodic maintenance.

The Government was also committed to improving the health sector through sinking of boreholes, building of staff houses and rehabilitation of rural health centres in the province.

In the education sector, Government has released funds for the construction of 87 classrooms for 29 basic schools in Southern Province.

"We are also constructing five high schools in Southern Province with works progressing at different paces," Mr Banda said.

During the ceremony, Chief Mukuni honoured three Chinese nationals led by Roger Lee for greatly contributing to the development of the Mukuni Village.