Chiefs’ subsidies increased to 16 per cent

Government has increased the subsidies for Chiefs by 16 percent with effect from April 1, 2007.

President Mwanawasa announced this in Lusaka today when he officially opened the first session of the Second House of Chiefs.

The President revealed that government might consider increasing the subsidies to 20 per cent so that the four percent would be deducted from the salaries of those Chiefs who are connected to the national grid.

And President Mwanawasa has revealed that government would this year purchase 36 motor vehicles to be distributed to all provinces, saying this is in response to the outcry from Chiefs who are very eager to visit their Chiefdoms.

He also disclosed that two speedboats would be purchased for a start to be distributed to two provinces.

He however said the purchase of the said vehicles would be put on hold until the request raised by Chiefs to acquire motor vehicles on loan is looked into.

Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has directed the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to mount mass literacy campaigns in the country.

President Mwanawasa said the campaign is in bid to increase literacy levels in the country because people can only enjoy life when they are literate.

He emphasised that government’s war is not less against disease and poverty but more on illiteracy, saying without literacy, people cannot participate fully and intelligently in selecting their leaders democratically.

On HIV/AIDS, President Mwanawasa advised Chiefs to be agents of behavioral change since this is the key to prevention of HIV infection.

He told the Chiefs to ban cultural practices which perpetuate the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Opposition United Party for National Development-UPND President Hakainde Hichilema was among Cabinet Ministers and Senior government officials who attended the official opening of the House of Chiefs.

ZANIS