Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni speaking people of Eastern province has appeared to government not to export any food reserves from the previous farming season.
Chief Mpezeni said this is due to hunger that is looming in most parts of the country.
The traditional leader expressed concern that most parts of the country this
year are likely to be affected with food shortages due to the crop failure experienced during the 2013/2014 farming season.
Speaking when Special Assistant to the President for Projects monitoring and implementation Lucky Mulusa called on him at his palace in Chipata today, Chief Mpezeni disclosed that his Chiefdom has been hit with serious hunger situation and will only depend on government intervention for survival.
He explained that many farmers despite having spent much on farming inputs their harvest will not be good because of inadequate rainfall activities recorded in the area.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni said this is why government should put in place stringent measures aimed at mitigating the suffering of the people by safe guarding food reserves.
And Chief Mpezeni has expressed displeasure with the delayed process of constructing Chief’s palaces despite the project being launched.
He said most traditional leaders live in houses that are not in good condition.
He said the roof of his house is almost collapsing and has made several follow-ups with government to find out when his house would be constructed.
Chief Mpezeni took Mr Mulusa around the house and appealed for quick intervention by government to improve the living standards of Chiefs.
In response, Mr Mulusa assured the Paramount Chief that all his concerns would be attended to.
Mr Mulusa said government considers traditional leaders as key stakeholders in fostering development to all parts of the country.
He added that this is why government had embarked on various infrastructure developments in all areas including Chiefdoms as a way of improving the living standards of the people.
He stated that it is sad that the house of the Paramount chief is almost collapsing when funds for the construction of Chiefs palaces have already being allocated.
Mr Mulusa has since promised that he will follow up the matter and ensure that construction works on palaces that were launched begin as soon as possible.
What happened to the projected bumper harvest that Sata and his cronies bragged about?