State commits to start handing over palaces
By CLIFF PHIRI in Lukulu GOVERNMENT is committed to start handing over some of the 30 chiefs’ palaces which are being built under phase one by the end of this year.
Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs acting Permanent Secretary Sakwiba Lubasi made the pledge after inspecting the construction of chiefs’ palaces in Nkeyema, Limulunga and Lukulu districts in Western Province.
Speaking after paying a courtesy call on Chief Imwiko of Lukulu, Mr Lubasi told ZANIS that the government cannot perpetually carry on the works and the ministry will take keen interest in the projects so that the chiefs’ palaces are completed and handed over.
He reaffirmed Government’s resolve to complete existing projects before engaging on new ones and said that his ministry has put in place mitigating measures to accelerate the construction of all the chiefs’ palaces which are in the initial phase.
Mr Lubasi said that the ministry has structured the building of the chiefs’ palaces in a unique way because it has left the supervision of the construction works to the respective Provincial Administrations countrywide as it continues to provide financing.
He said that early this year, the ministry requested the Western Provincial Administration to avail them with the Bill of Quantities for the chiefs’ palaces which were availed and are being used as a basis to source financing from the Treasury.
Mr Lubasi said the ministry found it prudent to carry out an on-the-spot check in relation to the bill of quantities presented by the Western Provincial Administration so that it can use that information in a consolidated manner as it requests for financing from the Treasury.
And after inspecting the construction of Chief Imwiko’s palace in Lukulu, Mr Lubasi said that it is government’s desire and policy to ensure that traditional leaders are facilitated in every way hence the building of the chiefs’ palaces.
He said that government is elated that Zesco has taken a power line to Chief Imwiko’s palace, saying this gives the ninistry enough impetus to finish the project which he said is at 85 percent.