Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata has said that the Government acknowledges the devastating effects of climate change and remains committed to mitigate them.
Speaking during the Chibwela Kumushi traditional ceremony of the Soli people of Mpanshya Chiefdom in Rufunsa District who were celebrating this year’s ceremony under the theme Developing Climate Resilient Communities, Ms Mulyata said the Government is aware of the devastating effects of climate especially with the experience of the 2023/2024 dry spell.
She said that in response to avert the situation, the Government has embarked on massive interventions such as drilling of boreholes, provision of relief food, Cash for work, Food Reserve Agency (FRA) community maize sales among other interventions to safeguard the lives of the people.
“Climate Change has become a major threat to sustainable development. The drought has shown devastating consequences for many critical sectors such as agriculture, water availability and energy supply, risking national food security and the Livelihoods of millions of Zambians”, said Ms Mulyata.
The Provincial Minister further retaliated the Government’s commitment of supporting traditional ceremonies as they do not only accord an opportunity to learn about cultural traditions but are also a good forum for the Government to explain its policies and developments in various sectors of the economy.
Ms Mulyata also said that the Government was aware of the challenges being faced in Mpanshya chiefdom and through the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) many of these challenges were being tackled.
She said the health and education sectors have benefited from the CDF through construction of maternity annexes, classroom blocks, mechanized water reticulation among many others.
In a speech for the Chieftainess which was not read but given to the Provincial Minister and made available to ZANIS, Chieftainess Mpanshya commended the Government for its various developmental programmes and policies it has initiated since assuming power.
She said the free education policy has enabled the majority of the children in her chiefdom to have access to education.
And speaking at the same event, Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT) Programme Manager, Edwin Abwino called on the people of Mpanshya Chiefdom to appreciate climate change and resort to climate resilience agriculture.
Mr Abwino noted that climate change was real and people should come up with interventions to mitigate its effects.
“Climate change is here with us, we need to find ways of safeguarding our food security at household level, let us also plant our own local seeds which are drought resistant”, said Mr Abwino.
