President Hichilema pledges to work with traditional leaders

President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to work with traditional leaders across the country in fostering development for the people.

Mr. Hichilema said traditional leaders play an important role in development as they are closest to the people.

“As a government we will seek to work with the chiefs, we are our parents, and you are the contact to the people as you stay and work with the people in the communities,” he said.

The Head of State was speaking in Luanshya when he met with 12 traditional leaders from the Copperbelt Province.

Mr Hichilema urged the traditional leaders to freely participate in development, adding that his administration would not discriminate against any chiefs.

“My administration will not discriminate against any chiefs as it was in the past, we will work with traditional leaders, not against them. Ours is to take your advice and take care of you to improve your welfare and that of your people,” he said

He reiterated his pledge to commit the year 2023 to the grassroots and that he would use this time to address the various problems such as health care, water, roads, agriculture, community welfare that are facing the people at the grassroots.

And representing the chiefs, Chief Nkambo of the Lamba people thanked the Head of State for taking time to visit the traditional leaders.

The traditional leader further thanked the President for actualizing the process of turning the Lusaka/Ndola Road into a dual carriageway.

Earlier, the President took time to thank the people of Luanshya for turning up in numbers to vote for him and usher him into office.

He was speaking to the masses when he landed at Technical and Vocational Training college (TVTC) grounds.

The Head of State is on the Copperbelt Province on a working visit.