Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe has expressed concern with the continued boundary disputes among chiefdoms.
Dr Mwanakampwe explained that boundary disputes have the potential to retard development in chiefdoms.
He further highlighted that boundary disputes create uncertainties, thereby discouraging investment and slowing infrastructure development in the province.
The Permanent Secretary stated that there is a need to address boundary disputes which are a major source of conflict among chiefdoms to ensure certainty and encourage investment.
He said this when a team from the Surveyor General’s office and the House of chiefs led by Clerk Julien Mulenga paid a courtesy call on him in Kabwe.
The team is in the province to discuss the boundary dispute between Chiefs Chamuka of the Lenje people of Kabwe and Chisamba and Chembe of the Lala people of Luano district.
Dr Mwanakampwe stressed the need to urgently resolve the long-standing boundary disputes stating that Chief Chemba is involved in another boundary dispute with Chief Shikabeta of Rufunsa district in Lusaka Province.
“We would like to take advantage of your presence to also deal with other disputes in Mumbwa between Chief Mumba, Chief Moono, Chief Liteta, Chief Shakumbila and the Nsanje forest. We are hopeful we can utilize this same window to manage that as quickly as possible,” said Dr Mwanakmpwe.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that though some traditional leaders do not recognize the 1958 boundary map, it is the official reference document recognized by government for resolving the disputes.
And Clerk of the House of chiefs Julien Mulenga said the team will discuss the issue with the two traditional leaders and engage the surveyors to survey the disputed land.
Ms Mulenga said the survey will only determine the boundary and not disrupt the livelihoods of the people settled there.
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