LONG DISTANCE DISCOURAGING PREGNANT WOMEN, PUPILS - CHIEF

PREGNANT women and pupils are finding it hard to walk long distances in accessing services, says Senior Chief Kalilele of the Lamba speaking people in Mushindamo.

Speaking when North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu called on him at his palace over the weekend, Senior Chief Kalilile appealed togoSve en rd nm yo eun rt establishing a health post and a school near the palace.

He disclosed that the nearest health facility is about 12 kilometres from the palace adding that pregnant mothers were most affected especially when labour starts in the night.

‘’Government should take this issue with the seriousness it deserves because people are suffering,’’ the traditional leader said.

He also appealed to government to consider establishing a primary school in the area.

The Senior Chief said most pupils especially those in lower grades were discouraged due to the distances they covered to walk from the palace to Lamba.

‘’Especially during winter period, pupils tend to stop going to school,’’ he said.

He appealed to government to consider degazzeting part of the forest area so that people can have access to land.

He said most of the land in the district was in national forest, a situation he said was hindering people to get land for residential and commercial purposes.

In response, the Minister assured the traditional leader that government would look into all the concerns raised.

Mr Mubukwanu said the Patriotic Front government under the able leadership of President Edgar Lungu was committed to taking development to all parts of the country without segregation.

"With regard to the degazzetion of the part of the forest, if only a formal request is made, something can be done, “Mr Mubukwanu said.