The Solwezi Municipal Council has handed over a front-end loader machine procured at a cost of two million kwacha to Chief Kapijimpanga’s palace of Solwezi district.

Speaking during the handover ceremony held at Chief Kapijimpanga’s palace, Solwezi Municipal Council Mayor Remmy Kalepa said government was committed to working closely with traditional leaders.

Mr Kalepa commended Chief Kapijimpanga for his willingness to work with civic leaders and encouraged them to do what was best for the community, adding that the earthmoving equipment was procured from the ward fund allocation to the traditional leader who serves as councilor under the Solwezi Municipal Council.

“Today we are blessed to have you, who has chosen to work with us. In certain cases we have seen leaders that can say, ‘No, I want to remain as a traditional leader.’ Yes, you have remained as a traditional leader but you have brought us closer by encouraging us to do what was best for the people of Solwezi,” he said.

And Solwezi Municipal Council Town Clerk Stanley Mbewe said the earth-moving machine was expected to foster economic development through regular road maintenance in the chiefdom.

“Solwezi Municipal Council allocates 2 million for each ward. In Solwezi we have 12 wards but we have fourteen councillors, including yourself and His Worship the mayor, who are both councillors so you have the entitlement that all councillors have, so your ward fund has been used to procure this machine,” said the Town Clerk.

Additionally, the Town Clerk announced that two additional trucks will be handed over to the chiefdom in a few months.

“We want to State that in a few months’ time we are going to deliver two trucks that are going to come and benefit the people. the entire Solwezi is your ward and this machine can be used in any area of your ward where need be,” he said

Mr Mbewe called on members of the community to inform the council whenever there was need for the machinery to be used in the community, adding that it has been procured to help address the challenges the community faced.

Meanwhile, speaking through a representative, Chief Kapijimpanga expressed happiness for the development and called for unity of purpose in order for development to be achieved.

The Traditional leader praised the local authority for continued service delivery.

The handover ceremony was witnessed by group leaders, headmen, and community members.