SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
@SunZambian
GOVERNMENT has commended Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi of the Chewa people for having initiated the construction of a community clinic in Nyaviombo village, Chipata district where his second palace is located.
The paramount Chief initiated the construction of a zonal clinic and six houses for medical personnel so that people received the much needed health services from within their vicinity.
Speaking after touring the project at the invitation of Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Ronald Chitotela commended the traditional ruler for having initiated the project.
A happy Mr Chitotela said it was government’s desire to partner with traditional leaders to develop Zambia and urged other Chiefs to emulate Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi.
The Minister said the initiative demonstrated that the Chewa Royal Establishment (CRE) was ready to partner with government in uplifting the living standards of people in the area. “I think this is what it calls to partner with government because the people that will be attended to are Zambians. We as government, would like to commend His Majesty Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi of the Chewa speaking people of Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and part of Tanzania for initiating this project.
“This is a strong partnership that we must promote. I would also like to appeal to other traditional authorities to partner with government to bring development in their areas,” Mr Chitotela said.
Mr Chitotela pledged to donate 100 roofing sheets towards the zonal clinic and urged other well-wishers to come on board to support the noble cause.
And Kalonga Gawa Undi’s spokesperson Lucas Phiri explained that the community initiative came up after the Paramount Chief realized the sufferings of his people, especially during the rainy season.
He thanked the Minister for accepting an invitation at short notice by the chief to visit the clinic.
“On behalf of his majesty, I just want to thank the Minister for having accepted his majesty invitation to come and see what he is initiating here at Nyaviombo village being in the Chewa Kingdom. This community project is being sponsored by Universal Peace Federation which is an NGO,” Mr Phiri said.
Mr Phiri also thanked Mr Chitotela for donating 100 roofing sheets towards the zonal clinic and called on more well-wishers to donate so that the facility could be completed on time.
And explaining the importance of Nyaviombo village to the Chewa people, Mr Phiri told the Sun that the Chewa King has two palaces.
He explained that Mkaika in Katete is the Chewa traditional headquarters where the Gawa performs all his traditional functions but did not stay there.
Mr Phiri explained that after performing his traditional functions, Kalonga Gawa Undi went to the Nyaviombo palace in Chipata district where he spent most of his time.
