Chiefs fume over alien miners

GOVERNMENT should consult us when issuing mining licenses to investors in the district, chiefs in Mambwe have demanded.

The chiefs said it was saddening just to see investors operating in their chiefdoms without their knowledge.

Speaking when President Edgar Lungu met four chiefs in the district yesterday, Senior Chief Nsefu who spoke on behalf of others said there was need for the Government to consult them when issuing licenses to investors as they were custodians of the land.

He also complained that there was serious security concern in the area because some foreign nationals were flocking to the area without being detected by the immigration officers.

Senior Chief Nsefu asked President Lungu to help resolve boundary disputes between chiefs in the area.

The traditional leader also appealed to the President to consider working on the Musendile Bridge and road network in the district.

He however thanked the government for massive infrastructure development in the area such as clinics, schools among others. He also thanked government for early distribution of farm inputs.

Other Chiefs in attendance were Msoro, Malama and Jumbe.

In response, President Lungu said he would liase with the ministry responsible to see how best their concern could be attended to.

The President also urged investors to ensure they paid a courtesy call on the chiefs in the area they operated in as a way of showing respect.

To the imigration officers who were not performing because they have overstayed, the President said they would be dealt with accordingly.

He said Government should not transfer erring officers because doing so would be transferring a problem to another area.

Mr Lungu said boundaries should not lead to fighting among one people who are all Zambians.

He also urged the chiefs to encourage their subjects to register in large numbers as voters so that they could participate in choosing their preferred candidates in 2021.

Later, the President met headmen and the clergy whom he described as strategic partners in development.

He assured them that government was commited to improving their living standards.