Maravi

Munkombwe backs call to split Southern Province

Munkombwe backs call to split Southern Province
By Cynthia Phiri in Pemba
Fri 09 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT

VETERAN politician Daniel Munkombwe says he is in support of calls for the split of Southern Province into two separate provinces.

Speaking in an interview in Pemba, where he was attending "My Home Town Fellowship", Munkombwe said splitting of the province into two was welcome because that is what the people of Southern Province want and advised them to accept government's offer for consultative meetings on the matter.

"When Government extends an olive branch, people of Southern Province should accept. We don't want to agitate the situation, that's what we have been asking for and we are justified to call for the split in order to obtain another province," Munkombwe said.

He said Southern Province was the second largest in the country in terms of land and population and that it was only wise that the Province be split into two in order to foster development, especially the valley part of the province which was completely ignored.

Traditional leaders in Southern Province have submitted proposals to government that the province be split into two as opposed to realigning Chirundu and Itezhi-Tezhi districts.

The government has since written to the people of Southern Province through the Southern Province Administration to convene a stakeholders meeting to discuss the issue further.

And Munkombwe said he wanted to devote the last years of his life to charity and community work by working with "My Home Town" proprietor James Ndambo, a South Africa-based Zambian businessman who is into charity work.

"I want to devote the last years of my time on earth to community work by working with James Ndambo, especially here in Southern Province," said Munkombwe.

Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, PROVINCES, SOUTHERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 4:33 PM