Kanongesha calls for reconciliatory talks in N/Western Province

Kanongesha calls for reconciliatory talks in N/Western Province
By Correspondent
Tue 04 Oct. 2011, 08:50 CAT

SENIOR chief Kanongesha says the Patriotic Front's dismal showing in North Western Province in the recent elections was due to strained political relations that can be reversed if the ruling party engages the region in reconciliatory talks.

Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people of Mwinilunga said in an interview on Friday that people in the province were not entirely to blame for giving PF fewer votes because it had not sold itself well in the region.

He said most of the candidates featured under the PF were little known in their communities and lacked support from the electorate to command victories.

Chief Kanongesha, who was accompanied by several members of his royal establishment, advised that the PF government should establish deliberate relations with the people of North Western Province aimed at uniting it with the change mood in the rest of the country.

"We are making a passionate appeal to the government that it should extend an olive branch to the people of North Western Province. It's not the problem of the people, it's the problem of the PF central committee, that's why we have no elected PF voice from North Western in Parliament," said chief Kanongesha. "We are a friendly people and we make good citizens of Zambia."

He said the Lunda people congratulated President Michael Sata and would give him support to build the country.

Chief Kanongesha said President Sata's historic victory was a sign that Zambia was on a path to recovery and expressed confidence that the new administration would deal with the challenges of the region and exploit its full potential and deliver vital development after years of underdevelopment by previous governments.

He praised President Sata's creation of a new ministry for traditional leaders, saying chiefs were a critical component to conflict management and should be involved through implementation of a decentralized system that would empower them with a pivotal role.

Chief Kanongesha, however, expressed sadness over the low presence of North Westerners in the recently announced Cabinet but hoped that the few who were still in the civil service could be maintained.

Meanwhile, chief Kanongesha said North Western was ready for heavy investment in food production as proved by recent maize yields.

He also said the region had potential for sugar production as well as tree plantation and fisheries development.