STATE House doors are open to all Zambians including the traditional leaders who want to meet President Hakainde Hichilema as long as they make an appointment through the principal private secretary’s office, Presidential spokesperson, Anthony Bwalya has said.
Mr. Bwalya said chiefs and other stakeholders wanting to meet President Hichilema to discuss national issues were free to come through so long they follow the right channels of making appointments with the principal private sectary’s office.
Mr. Bwalya was reacting to reports that Bemba chiefs in Muchinga Province were furious after their attempts to meet with the Head of State had been repeatedly blocked.
He said in an interview that no one was denied access to State House as long as they follow the clearly defined procedure needed to secure an appointment with the President.
Mr. Bwalya said State House was for the people therefore is was not possible that the traditional leaders could be denied access.
“The President has made it clear that State House is not ours, we occupy those offices for and on behalf of the people, No one is denied access to State House as long as the process is followed,’’ he said.
Mr. Bwalya said traditional leaders are free to make appoints to meet the President and discuss issues of concern as long as the processes and guidelines are followed.
He also said all State House staff are accessible provided those wanting to meet them follow the laid down procedure.
Chief Chanje of the Chewa people in reaction to concerns from Bemba chiefs said blocking chiefs from meeting the President, could derail development in rural areas.
Chief Chanje said State House should be open for all chiefs to enable them interact with the President for the sake of development.
Ama chiefs?
These people are not that relevant anymore, let them communicate with their MPs for any issues they may have.
Next it will be prophets complaining, then musicians, bloggers and keyboard warriors, golfers, traditional healers etc.
The President has representatives everywhere, let’s learn to use them. I will bet 2 kwacha these guys want to meet the President because of the brown envelopes they are used to.
We musicians would like to come and sing a song at State House. We would like to remind the nation that through music we are united. Music has better freedom of speech than DeadNBC.. His Excellency HH ust make sure he supports this industry so as to reduce on unemployment and to make Zambia export songs to the rest of the world and earn foreign exchange.
Who are you cheating? My mbuyas in Northern have been complaining to me saying they have been sidelined by this tribal govt. Only the likes of mukuni have a passport to meet that boy hh. We warned you. Very tribal party. Yucky
Looking for brown envelopes………..
Not with this one , ……….
As tiyali says …….
” HH wa kaso,…….. especially with tax payers money “
Brown envelope erä is GONE
Chitimukulu remember that, that is the same man you bragged shunning him.
Politicians and Chiefs. These two are amazing. There always comes a time when they desperately need each other’s attention. Either for votes or brown envelopes respectively. Kikiki..
Lusaka Times is holding on to promoting the propagation of tribal identity and it makes their style of journalism tactless. LT keeps prefixing with ethnic identity when making reference to chiefs other than using regional placement. Many a times as is in the story above one reads “Bemba chiefs” instead of “Chiefs in Muchinga province” or “Chief So and So in Muchinga province has……” and similarly “Tonga chiefs” with regards to mining in the Lower Zambezi as though some other chiefs from other regions are not concerned! Please LT don’t keep feeding tribal polarization!
Kaizer Zulu, till now you haven’t accepted that you ve lost. Anyway continue crying because you deserve to cry.
Tanzania did away with chiefs a long time ago. They retrogressive and divisive.