Chief Macha of the Tonga people in Choma has demanded to know the whereabouts of the new graders and other earth moving machines procured and sent to Southern Province by government recently.
Chief Macha said, while the feeder roads leading to agricultural productive areas in the district have deteriorated deplorably, the whereabouts of the new equipment sent to the province remain unknown.
The Chief said it is sad that the new graders and earth moving machines, where-ever they are being kept, are not being put to good use at a time when the rural road network is a sore sight.
He was peaking in Choma yesterday at the close of a three-day UNICEF sponsored workshop on sanitation that was also attended by all the chiefs and councilors in the district.
Chief Macha asked the District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni who was present at the workshop, to explain why the provincial administration was holding-on to the graders and earth-moving equipment, when the damaged rural roads in the district need graded.
He described the attitude of the government officers charged with the responsibility of deploying the road repairing equipment to various districts as unbecoming and that it sad for them to keep the traditional leaders in the dark about their planned programmes and activities.
Chief Macha said such a situation send wrong signals as it might result into unwarranted negative criticism against government.
The traditional chief further expressed sadness over the slow pace at which the tarrying of the Choma-Namwala Road by a Chinese contractor is going.
He said have not seen any progress going on, although China Geo Corporation has been camping on site for a very long period of time.
In response, the District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni informed Chief Macha that one grader is already in the district, which he said is grading the damaged Choma-Masuku Road.
Mr. Apuleni said all the roads leading to productive areas in the district will be worked on, as government has released adequate funds for the exercise.
ZANIS/CM/PK/ENDS
Someone answer the chief please !
Big up Chief Macha….you are one of the very few chiefs that are really sensible and keeping an eye on the ball. Not some of the bootlicking chiefs who only surface in election times to give sponsored backing to politicians…..we are proud of you!
The problem is that feeder road grading is associated with ministry of agriculture when in fact it is supposed to be an activity underatken by local councils. The same goes for maintenance of storage sheds. That is how you create jobs, but of course it should not be lusaka based companies the contracts at the expense of companies based in particular districts.
#3 I meant lto say “The same goes for maintenance of storage sheds. That is how you create jobs, but of course it should not be Lusaka based companies to be getting all the contracts at the expense of companies based in respective districts where the grading of roads or maintenace of agro-produce storage sheds are found.
Good questionings there Mr Chief Macha. This is what I expect to read from sensible chiefs not those who are just seen supporting the candidature of MMD Presidential Candidates when it is time for elections. On “The traditional chief further expressed sadness over the slow pace at which the tarrying of the Choma-Namwala Road by a Chinese contractor is going”, I believe the correct word is TARRING as opposed to the one that has been used. As for #4, my understanding due to experience is that grading of roads is done by the Ministry of Works and Supply under some Department which I have forgotten. Anyway, it is revealing to read about it being carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture.
I think they are stuck up in a corner somewhere in livingstone, the provincial capital. I bet they have made Vi ma Zembe local transport.
This chief is very alert! Thats what we need. These graders are probably working at some private farm or village. Put pressure ba Chief until they tell you kwamene vili.
Good observation ba Chief. It doesn’t make much sense to have barely passable roads and yet have recieved equipment for such projects. We really need to know where these greaders are, tarring; from the pace this work is being done, it seems it will take forever!
Big up to the chief
Good chief. Let them publish the work schedule of the graders. Why don’t we do things in a transparent manner?