WHEN I REMIND GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL IT’S PROMISES, IT DOESN’T MEAN I’M AGAINST IT – CHIEF MPEZENI
MPEZENI, the Paramount Chief of the Ngoni people, has called on government to actualise the promises it makes to the people.
“When you make a promise fulfil it,” he said when Local Government and Rural Development minister Gary Nkombo paid him a visit at his Ependukeni palace in Chipata on Friday.
Nkombo paid a courtesy call on Mpezeni to update him on the newly bought motor grader by Chipata Municipal Council and Government’s commencement of the rehabilitation of markets and bus stops in four districts of Eastern Province.
Yesterday, the minister flagged off the project, a collaborative effort between the Zambian government and the German government through the German Development Cooperation (KFW) which aims to enhance the socio-economic well-being of citizens by improving infrastructure and empowering local authorities.
Four districts that will be benefiting from this initiative include; Chipata, Lundazi, Katete and Sinda at an estimated cost of K 109.7 million, and the project is projected to conclude within 12 months.
Chief Mpezeni was excited about the development and welcomed the development with both hands.
However, he reminded the minister and his entourage which included, Chopata Central and agriculture minister Mtolo Phiri, Eastern Province minister Peter Phiri, among others, the importance of keeping promises.
Mpezeni added that when he reminds government to fulfil its promises, it does not mean that he is against it but that he is merely a speaker passing on the message from his subjects.
“I’m not against Government but I believe that when someone promises something they have to fulfill it….Ine nisebenza na boma, nisebenza lini na opposition (I work with the government, I don’t work with the opposition).” Mpezeni clarified.
He acknowledged that the Government is working.
“As you can see, there is a grader [being commissioned today]. Before now, Chipata Municipal Council didn’t have a grader; we used to hire to work on roads. So as you have commenced the project, expedite on the works,” Mpezeni told Nkombo.
In turn, Nkombo told the Paramount Chief that he had the right to air out his grievances, wondering how the Government could know the challenges if the chief opted for silence.
Recently, a video of Mpezeni circulated online where he was blasting Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha because of halted works on dam construction.
However, Phiri, the Provincial Minister, revealed that Government has started working on the dams.
“The ministry has started working on the dams your majesty, what you Chief Mpezeni did the last time when Minister Mposha came was just a reminder that we left a promise yet to be actualised,” he said
Kalemba
WHEN I REMIND GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL IT’S PROMISES, IT DOESN’T MEAN I’M AGAINST IT – CHIEF MPEZENI
