By James Mwale

Ntchisi, March 14, Mana: Government has elevated Ntchisi’s Sub Traditional Authority Sambakunsi to Traditional Authority and the other four to the position of Sub Traditional Authority.

Speaking on Thursday during the elevation ceremony at Nthondo police ground in the area of Senior Chief Nthondo, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Joyce Chitsulo called the newly elevated chiefs to be professional.

She said: “The people you lead have hope and confidence in you. It will be a shame to see you abusing the same people you are supposed to lead and protect.

“A good chief embraces servant leadership. Lead your people with love and promote oneness among them to respect you. Above all, refrain from nepotism because you are not a chief for your people but the whole village.”

She also urged the newly elevated leaders to take the lead in promoting girl child education and challenged them to put stiff penalties on all perpetrators of any form of girl child abuse.

Chitsulo further spoke against child marriages saying it is one of the biggest evils against a girl who has progressive dreams.

Speaking earlier, legislator for Ntchisi Northeast, Olipa Chimangeni, underscored the need for collaborative efforts between chiefs and Members of Parliament in implementing government’s development agenda.

She said: “We legislators rely on chiefs to succeed in implementing development projects in our respective constituencies and elevation of chiefs to upper positions motivates them to work with us even more. That’s why the critical role this event will play in development cannot be overemphasised”

In his remarks, Senior Chief Nthondo pledged full support to the newly elevated chiefs and the Members of Parliament in implementing the government development agenda.

Sub Traditional Authorities Mikwala, Nkhondo, Mndinda and Lombwa were among those elevated along with T/A Sambakunsi.