SIXTY chiefs from Southern, Central and Luapula provinces have endorsed President Rupiah Banda's infrastructure development programme.

Senior Chief Mukuni of Kazungula, who spoke on behalf of the traditional leaders, said the chiefs who met in Namwala last week said they were happy with the development in various parts of the country.

They cited some of the development projects that the Government had spearheaded as the construction of roads, clinics, and schools.

Some of the traditional leaders who attended the meeting were chiefs Shakumbila of the Sala people of Mumbwa, Bundabunda of Chongwe, and Chisunka of the Ushi people of Luapula Province.

Speaking in an interview, Chief Mukuni, who is the chairperson of the Southern Province Royal Foundation, said the traditional leaders expressed happiness at the increased number of infrastructure development projects being initiated countrywide.

The chiefs were happy that President Banda was working hard to deliver development and bridge the gap between rural and urban areas.

"Last week, we had a meeting in Namwala which was attended by more than 60 chiefs and all of them expressed happiness with President Banda's initiative aimed at spreading out development across the country.

"It is such development that we need because it will help narrow the gap between rural and urban areas," he said.

He also castigated people condemning President Banda's administration, and advised them to learn to give credit where necessary.

"Those people who are calling President Banda a failure will never be appeased no matter what he does.

"We know that even if they criticise it is not genuine criticism, it is mere sour grapes, they are just bitter people," he said.

Chief Mukuni expressed confidence that the rate of development that President Banda had initiated would grant him easy victory in the 2011 presidential elections.

He said Mr Banda deserved a second term in order for him to complete the infrastructure development plans that he had initiated.