GAWA UNDI PROPOSES INTRODUCTION OF SOME FORM OF GRATUITY FOR CHIEFS PAID BETWEEN 3 TO 5 YEARS.
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
Kalonga Gawa Undi of the Chewa-speaking people has urged government to provide more funding to the Office of the Chief to enhance effective and efficient service delivery.
Speaking at the Kulamba Traditional Ceremony, the Gawa Undi appealed for an upward adjustment of subsidies paid to chiefs and proposed the introduction of gratuities for traditional leaders between three to five years.
He explained that such support would help office bearers sustain themselves once they leave office.
The traditional leader further emphasized the need for collaboration with local authorities in the implementation of development projects. He also raised concerns over the rate at which customary land is being converted into state land, calling for greater consideration and protection of traditional land ownership.
Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that government will, in the next national budget, increase allowances for chiefs and their retainers.
President Hichilema reiterated that government regards traditional leaders as key partners in national development.
And Eastern Province Minister Peter Phiri Thanked President HICHILEMA and his Counterpart Lazarus Chakwera for Gracing the Event.
The President has said he will increase the allowances for chiefs and retainers. BIG MISTAKE!
The national treasury is already under tremendous stress due to so many freeloaders. How are you going to fund the increased allowances? By sneaking in more taxes? These populist route will end in tears.
Chiefs should take a leaf from the Litunga and Chief Mukuni. They are self sufficient and don’t need to beg from the government. I remember how Chief Mukuni was able to call PF’s bluff when they threatened to withdraw his allowance (which they did with no effect on his wellbeing). How much are we spending on such individuals (former national assembly speaker, judges, chiefs, other former constitutuinal office holders). The government has already spent colossal sums on chiefs’ palaces and vehicles. But the chiefs are saying “we want more”. Where does it end?
Chiefs cannot be on gratuity. Their positions are permanent. Besides some chiefs demand a bag of maize from each family in their chiefdom, despite being on tax payers bill. All you think is more money in your pocket. And the president is wrong in proposing salary increments which do not make sense.
I think this not correct for Chiefs to demand more money when their conditions have been improved…
The Chiefs need to be looked after very well.They play a very serious role in their chiefdoms.There was going to be anarchy if they were not there.The Chiefs have data on families in their chiefdoms and they do help the Local government Ministry and Home affairs.They even help other ministries like Agriculture and Health.It could be helpful to ask Nigerians how they deal with such issues concerning “The Igwees”. The Chiefs are extremely important especially where peace and unity is concerned they are equally good in the dessemination of information in their durisdiction.They are just too important.We must understand their requests.
Ba Muleta, in Tanzania the formal institution of chieftaincy was abolished in the 1960s and Tanzania is doing better than us.
Iam not advocating for similar drastically measures, but our chiefs are getting greedy.