Acting Itezhi Tezhi District Commissioner Hampende Hichilema has asked traditional leaders in the district to respect the government of the day and desist from confrontational acts and making divisive statements.
Speaking at Luubwe Basic School during the commissioning of an K80 million 1×2 classroom block in chief Musungwa’s area, yesterday, Mr. Hichilema said chiefs in the district should work with the government of the day and play a positive role in promoting development in the district.
He said chiefs should promote harmony and development in the district instead of promoting conflict and divisions which retard development.
“I am asking all traditional leaders in the district to respect the government. Chiefs should make it their solemn duty to respect the government of the day and desist from peddling conflict,” he said.
Mr. Hichilema said chiefs should be neutral and encourage their subjects to respect government leaders and cooperate with them in enhancing development projects which were initiated by the current government.
He said if the people are not happy with the current government, an appropriate time will come during elections for them to make a decision.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has rebuked parents in Luubwe ward, who are reportedly marrying off young school girls in exchange for herds of cattle.
“Cows are not the only wealth that is there in the world. Let the girl children get an education and contribute positively to the development of this country,” he said.
And speaking at the same function, Itezhi Tezhi District Education Standard Officer, Ray Siabunkululu revealed that the district is short on accommodation for teachers.
“Itezhi Tezhi district is faced with an acute shortage of houses for teachers. Of the 414 teachers in the entire district, there are only 78 houses for teachers. This is a major challenge the district is faced with,” he said.
Mr. Siabunkululu said out of the 71 schools in the district only 35 had permanent structures while the rest have temporary structures.
He said government has funded the district to build 27 classrooms, adding that 24 schools out of the targeted 27 have been completed.
ZANIS
MMD’s HH coming out without mincing a word on our chiefs.
I hate the way loyalty when used in a political context! it simply means pack-up your brains and lets think for you. the problem in Africa is our leaders don’t want to be criticized. they want to be hero- worshiped.
Only foolish chiefs would heed this call, not Bright Nalubamba!