Chiefs from Eastern province have asked for the copies of the 2013 budget (yellow book) so that they closely follow projects which government is implementing.
The chiefs said the yellow book would enable them to move at the same pace and speak the same language with government in terms of development.
Reading the resolutions on behalf of other chiefs in Chipata, chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni speaking people, who is also outgoing House of Chiefs Chairperson, said it was difficult to follow what government was doing because of not having copies of the yellow book.
The traditional leaders made their decision during the consultative meeting for chiefs which was organised by government through the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.
He argued that chiefs were also key partners in the process of developing the country hence the need for them to have copies of yellow books.
“As chiefs, we are also a major stakeholder in the development process of our country but we regret that the yellow book is only given to Members of Parliament and cabinet ministers leaving us and putting us in an awkward situation to follow what is happening sometimes in our own chiefdoms,” chief Madzimawe lamented.
And the chiefs have appealed to the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection to carry out a national land audit in Zambia to establish the total land in the country.
The traditional leaders demand to know how land in Zambia was being allocated and utilised.
The chiefs alleged that customary land was being abused by the state hence the need to ascertain the hectors they were entitled to issue out to their subjects and to other potential investors including government developmental projects.
And Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo said she would forward traditional leaders’ concerns to the Head of State on the matter.
Professor Luo told the traditional leaders to submit the resolutions to President Michael Sata so that he can address their plight.
ZANIS
People have woken up now. No longer want to be fooled. Deliver your promises PF.
THIS IS EXCELLENT, CHIEFS. THIS IS WHAT THE OPPOSITION IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEMANDING FOR AND MONITORING. ASK FOR THE BLUE PRINT AND MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF WHAT IS ON THE BLUE PRINT. WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH OTHER CHIEFS- THEY MUST ALSO ASK FOR THE DOCUMENT.
All opposition parties with MPs have access to the yellow book
pf, be wary of your doings. people are no longer docile. just look at how our chiefs have suddenly become vigilant on matters pertaining to national governance. be very, very careful or else…….
This is good. Our traditional rulers have now waken up. Galamukani??
On issue of land,land is vested in the President. He holds the land in trust for the people of Zambia. Chiefs please be reminded that we do not have ‘subjects’ in the Republic of Zambia. We have citizens of Zambia. Zambia is a Republic. It is not a collection of Chiefdoms. Chiefdoms were done away with when Zambia became a Republic. Get a life..!!
This will be the best way to do some checks n balances; un like the noise we get from the highly educated upnd n mmd leaders.
Yippee yayi ba chita makora!!nadi nadi my people are waking up …no more ,no more Utesi!!2 thumbs up for the chiefs the true custodians of Zambia…nomba mu nasheko with allocating of customary land for leaseholds….its disenfranchising alot of Zambians …very soon ul render urselves obsolete