We’re vital tools in good governance, say chiefs
We’re vital tools in good governance, say chiefsBy Times Reporter
CHIEF Ntambu of Mwinilunga and his counterparts, Chief Imwiko of Lukulu and Jumbe of Mambwe district say traditional rulers have a major role to play in enhancing good governance in Zambia. The trio said chiefs played a pivotal role in enhancing good governance in Zambia.
They said this in Lusaka yesterday when they featured on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Television Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia programme on the role of traditional leaders in good governance. “From time immemorial, chiefs have always played a major role in the governance of Zambia. “Take for instance when we were fighting for independence; traditional leaders guided politicians of the day, liaising and coordinating with them on how to achieve independence,” chief Imwiko said.
He said through their role in enhancing good governance, chiefs were in the forefront sensitising people about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Chief Imwiko said traditional leaders were citizens too and as such, he saw no reason why they should not participate in the governance of the country as everybody else did.
On the issue of land, chief Imwiko said there was need for Government to come up with a deliberate policy to take development to rural areas and decongest urban areas where land was scarce. He said chiefs were ready to empower citizens with land at the expense of dubious investors. Chief Ntambu said traditional leaders were there to offer Government advice in terms of enhancing development in rural areas. “Our role as chiefs is to ensure that everything in terms of development is moving smoothly. Development in rural areas will not take root if Government does not consult chiefs who are on the ground,” chief Ntambu said.
Chief Ntambu said traditional leaders were not dictators when it came to recommending land allocation as was people’s impression. He said traditional leaders always had the interest of their communities but where land was bare for a long time, it was paramount to allow serious investors to utilise it for the sake of development.
Chief Jumbe said it was the role of traditional leaders to ensure that members of Parliament delivered on their promises to people if development was to take root in Zambia. The traditional leaders said if MPs failed to work up to people’s expectation, they should be taken to task and possibly pass a vote of no confidence in them. Chief Jumbe hailed Government for re-opening the House of Chiefs, which he said set a platform for traditional leaders to contribute to the governance system of Zambia at a high level.
“Government should now engage us at the grassroot level and if possible allow us to sit in council meetings so we can contribute to the development and governance of our country effectively,” he suggested.
Labels: CHIEFS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
posted by MrK @ 10:58 PM
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