President Hakainde Hichilema has underscored the government’s commitment to develop sites where traditional ceremonies and festivals are held, through community led tourism development initiatives.
President Hichilema notes that traditional ceremonies attract both domestic and international audiences and that create business opportunities and stimulate demand for local products such crafts, traditional attires, food and art performances, which generate income, jobs and self-reliance among communities.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State said this through Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba who represented him at the Ikubi Lya Loongo traditional ceremony of the Lala-Ila people of Mumbwa and Shibuyunji districts.
Mr Hichilema noted that the government values the critical role that traditional leaders play in the development of the country, hence the need to develop the sites where the historical events are held annually.
The President observed that the government is promoting irrigation development to ensure that farming activities are not limited to the rainy season, in response to climate change which continues to pose a significant threat to the country’s food security.
“In Mumbwa, 3 irrigation facilities have been developed targeting 540 farmers and 18 cooperatives. In Shibuyunji, the government has approved the construction of a dip tank at Shabasonje zone and the rehabilitation of Mushili dam,” said President Hichilema.
He stated that these initiatives are vital to building resilience, supporting diversification and stabilising rural livelihoods in the face of erratic rainfall.
Mr Hichilema stated that the government has disbursed over K35 million under the Cash for Work programme, in intervention to provide short-term cash relief to vulnerable households has seen 58,471 beneficiaries in Mumbwa alone.
“We have so far paid out over K7 million to 12,500 beneficiaries in Shibuyunji district,” he stated.
President Hichilema cited other development initiatives such as infrastructure development in the health, transport and education sectors and the increased Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
And Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa has commended Senior Chief Shakumbila for holding a successful event which saw the attendance of 10 traditional leaders from different parts of the country.
Mr Nkulukusa stated that traditional ceremonies are income earners for local communities observing that economic activities in the area are at a heightened.
And speaking through a representative, senior chief Shakumbila Auren Shiluwe thanked government for the many developments taking place in his area citing the rehabilitation of 74 Kilometers and upgrading 19 Kilometers of feeder roads which he said will improve transportation in Mumbwa and 42 Kilometers in Shibuyunji district.
Senior chief Shakumbila said the construction chief’s palaces across the country is a big achievement.
The traditional leader has since declared his support for President Hichilema saying the development is unprecedented.
