Ensure proper use of natural resources- Sumauli

KETRA KALUNGA writes RELIGIOUS Affairs and National Guidance minister, GodfridahSumaili has urged Zambians to put to good use the natural resources that the country has been endowed with in order to grow the economy. Reverand Sumaili said the country is blessed with a lot of natural resources that if properly utilized could contribute to reduce poverty and ensure food security. “The issue of food security, poverty reduction should be achieved because we are well positioned to have enough food,” said Rev. Sumaili. “As a nation, we are endowed with so much natural resources, we are a blessed nation, Zambia is blessed there is so much that we have in terms of water, land and also minerals,” said Rev. Sumaili. She was speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Central Province permanent secretary, Bernard Chomba before launching the poultry projects for the inmates at Mukobeko Correctional Facility on behalf of Vice president, Inonge Wina. Rev. Sumaili said as a nation, we should ensure that we take care of the resources God has given us and make sure that they contribute to the welfare of the people. Meanwhile, Keith Mukata who is former UPND Chilanga Member of Parliament (MP) has appealed to President Edgar Lungu to consider pardoning inmates convicted with major offences and not only those with minor charges as is usually the case. “We are ready to be ambassadors of change and should not be pardoned when we are too old to contribute to the economic development of the country”, the incarcerated lawyer has said. The former MP who is serving a death sentence observed that only those with minor offences are pardoned with only days left to be released as he commended the government for pardoning over 3,000 inmates country wide. “Paul, in the bible, committed atrocities but God forgave him, pardon us before we become too old so that we can contribute to national development,” said Mr Mukata. Mr Mukata made the appeal during the launch of the MukobekoAgriculture Poultry Project initiated by inmates at the facility at a cost of K1.7 million officiated by the Vice president who was represented by minister of religious affairs and national guidance, Godfridah Sumaili. The pastor in the making as he put it thanked the Zambia Correctional Services command for giving him as opportunity to give a vote of thanks saying it was a sign that the government still wanted him alive. And incarcerated Lusaka businessman, Matthew Mohan said the project which was conceived by inmates was aimed at creating relationships within society. Mr Mohan who is one of the 10 in-mates spear heading the project said the programme which has created 15 jobs for civilians and 50 more would be employed before the end of this month. “This dream was conceived in a place called by the former vice president as hell on earth yet all this has failed to stop the will of development even in incarceration,” said Mr Mohan. Speaking earlier, commissioner general, Doctor Chisela Chileshe said the project by the inmates has given the service command hope that the programmes implemented in the facility were helping them to reform. The project comprises of a lecture theatre, 5 000 broilers, 30 goats and variety of vegetables. The Sun