LILIAN CHIKANDI writes
PETER Choonga has been installed as Sikoongo assistant chief to assist the ailing chief, Isaac Muzokera, in the running of the Siavonga based chiefdom.
Sikoongo chiefdom representative, Stanford Mamayola, announced in Siavonga recently that the bana mainga (chief’s matrilineal clan), the ba zambi (chief’s patrilinear clan), and the ba Shikatongo (chief’s custodian), agreed to install Choonga as deputy chief to assist the ailing chief in governing the area.
Mr Namayola explained that then decision taken in Sikoongo chiefdom was unusual but necessary because the chief was unwell.
“Mr Choonga was selected to assist the chief in governing the chiefdom, he is someone who could not create a problems to be relieved of that task in future,” he said.
According to Mr Namayola, Mr Choonga was a humble person who is familiar with the affairs of the chiefdom and was chairman of all headmen in the Sikoongo chiefdom.
He expressed confidence that the new deputy chief would perform his duties diligently.
Meanwhile, Chirundu District Commissioner, Alfred Tom Hamunjo, has advised marketeers in the district that government did not give empowerment funds to individuals but to groups.
He said that the intention by government to give out the empowerment funds to groups, was to bring about development and not to simply promote individuals.
“The idea is not just to politicize because politics will not feed people but instead only stall development and bring about divisions,” Mr Hamunjo said.
He has encouraged the traders at the main market to come together to form co-operatives so that they could access the government funds.
“Most importantly, make sure you pay back so that others can benefit too,” he said.
He assured them that the government offices were ready to help them in accessing the loan funds.
But a traders’ representative has appealed to the DC to encourage the public officers to be going out in the field to sensitize people on government policies and programmes.
The traders’ representative said, “Most people in the community were illiterate and scared to go to offices to inquire about issues because they fear to be talked to in English.”
“Officers must also be flexible and use the local languages when talking to people so that they can understand and feel free to converse with them,” said the traders’ representative.
