Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda has hailed President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for strengthening the traditional leaders institution by increasing their honorarium and giving them promotions for complementing government’s development agenda.
The Minister was speaking on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where president Chakwera hosted over 50 traditional leaders from the districts of Kasungu, Dowa and Ntchisi.
In his remarks Chimwendo said traditional leaders are key players for government to achieve its vision of socioeconomic development.
“We salute you Mr President for assuring our traditional leaders that your government will continue to respect their royal institution, support their development projects in their jurisdictions because for you understand that chiefs are the bedrock of sustainable development,” said Chimwendo Banda who is also Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
But the minister warned the traditional leaders of corruption and the tendency of grabbing land of the poor mainly women and the orphans because that is immoral and unlawful and that government will not defend anyone who engages in such heinous behaviour.
In their remarks, chiefs lauded Chakwera for several development projects happening in central region which include water and irrigation facilities, mega farm, road infrastructure projects among others.
Chiefs also engaged the president on the issue of hunger and asked the president for more relief maize in their respective jurisdictions.
Chakwera had similar engagements with chiefs from southern and northern regions.
