Maravi

(DAILY MAIL) State creates loan facility for chiefs

State creates loan facility for chiefs
From FELIX NKINKE in Mongu

GOVERNMENT has approved a loan facility to buy motor vehicles for chiefs, President Mwanawasa announced in Mongu on Saturday. In a speech read by Minister of Defence George Mpombo at the official opening of the Kuomboka ceremony, the President said the new deal administration had facilitated the loan to enable chiefs be mobile so that they can visit and monitor development programmes in their chiefdoms.

“I wish to take this opportunity to inform you that apart from the current guidance of culture and governance matters being addressed by the House of Chiefs, Government is actively addressing the welfare of our chiefs,” he said.

He said the Litunga and eight other traditional leaders in the province would be the first to benefit. These are: senior chiefs Amukena and Inyambo Yeta, chiefs Kandala Mutondo, Anang’anga Imwiko, Lukama, Litunga La-Mboela and Mulena Mukwae Mboanjikana.

The President said the initiative was being taken to improve the status and welfare of chiefs in the country.

The President also said the Ministry of Local Government and Housing would this year spend over K1.9 billion on road works in Western Province.

“My Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and that of Lands has released funds to support the provision of housing in Mongu, Senaga, Seshenke, Lukulu and Shangombo,” Dr Mwanawasa said.

And Government has blacklisted the contractor working on the Shangombo District Hospital rehabilitation project following the shoddy works undertaken and the delays in completing the work.

The President said it was regrettable that the contractor had not completed the works.

He assured the people that Government will not tolerate any shoddy works and incompetence.

He said action had been taken against the contractor and that K1.7 billion has already been released to the Ministry of Health to find another company.

The President said that a total of 59 projects costing K26 billion have been undertaken at a total cost of K4 billion and that about 40 Government projects were being funded under the poverty reduction programme.

And during the handover of 17 vehicles to the Ministry of Health in Mongu, Mr Mpombo said Government was committed to improving health care service provision in the country.

The President said Government’s gesture demonstrated the seriousness that the MMD attached to national development.

“It is also evident that our Fifth National Development Plan represents our stated and firm roadmap towards attainment of a healthier Zambia enjoying the status of a middle income country,” he said.

“Today’s handover of these vehicles is part of an on-going exercise as each of the 72 districts shall eventually receive these vehicles whose total value is estimated at K25 billion,” he said.

“The Copperbelt, Eastern, Central, North-Western and Northern provinces have already received their share.”

Labels: CHIEFS, CREDIT FACILITIES

posted by MrK @ 1:36 AM