Maravi

Chitimukulu urges completion of NCC work before 2011

Chitimukulu urges completion of NCC work before 2011
Written by Bivan Saluseki in Mungwi
Monday, September 21, 2009 4:48:21 PM

PARAMOUNT chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people of Northern Province has said the constitution making process should be completed before the 2011 polls.

During the Ukusefya pa Ng'wena traditional ceremony in Mungwi on Saturday, Chitimukulu commended the government on its commitment to extend the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) sittings for only four months.

"Zambian people are confident in your announcement that the constitution making process will be completed in the stipulated time," he said.

He said he was impressed with the manner in which the government had exhibited maturity in handling political matters both locally and internationally.

Chitimukulu said the government remained steadfast to resolving political problems the country faced.

He asked the government to invest massively in mineral exploration in the province.

Chitimukulu said the release of funds to the Food Reserve Agency would enable small-scale farmers to adequately plan for the next farming season.

And Vice-President George Kunda said the government was committed to enhancing food security by subsidising agricultural inputs.

He said in terms of tourism, government's focus was moving to Northern and Luapula Provinces.

Vice-President Kunda said the Kasama airport terminal had been extended at a cost of K2.3 billion and another K26.5 billion would be used to facilitate construction of high schools in the province.

The ceremony was attended by former presidents Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick Chiluba who were welcomed by the people.

Opposition PF vice-president Guy Scott and other members of parliament attended the ceremony too.

Both MMD and PF presented the same type of fridges as a donation to Chitimukulu.

However during presentation, the master of ceremonies could not call the PF delegation on time to present their gifts.

The master of ceremonies instead excused Vice-President Kunda, Dr Kaunda and Chiluba to leave as he continued calling people to present gifts.

The PF delegation, noticing the delay, decided to take their gifts before leaving as well.

Scott said the organisers had indicated to him that they wanted the PF delegation to present their gifts privately.

Scott said there was no need for organisers to politicise ceremonies; otherwise they would become meaningless.

Meanwhile, one PF cadre was picked up at the ceremony for carrying a political banner.

Labels: CHIEF CHITIMUKULU, NCC

posted by MrK @ 3:48 PM