Medical scheme and funeral cover for Chiefs

By Brian Wasili – Mana.

Government will soon introduce medical scheme and funeral cover for Chiefs to address challenges faced by their families in times of sicknesses or deaths, according to Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri.

He disclosed this on Sunday during the elevation of Traditional Authority (TA) Govati to the position of Senior Chief at Thambani Headquarters in Mwanza.

“As way of appreciating roles played by Chiefs in promoting development in their areas government will soon introduce chiefs to medical scheme as well as funeral cover as it continues to elevate them,” Phiri said.

He added that government would soon start constructing houses for Chiefs to ensure they have decent accommodation.

“All the Chiefs who did not benefit from the previous programme will be the target this time,” Phiri said, adding that the houses are expected to be completed within a period of three months once started.

The Minister revealed that government would address hiccups on international travels among the Paramount Chiefs in the country.

“Paramount Chiefs will be privileged to have diplomatic passport to ease challenges they face when travelling abroad,” he added.

Phiri asked the traditional leaders to urge their subjects to avoid political violence as the country was preparing for the fresh presidential elections.

He called on traditional leaders to mobilize their subjects to vote in large numbers in the fresh presidential elections for DPP’s torch bearer, Prof President Peter Mutharika to ensure further development and prevailing peace in the country.

Paramount Chief Lundu commended the government for its plans to construct houses for Chiefs and for introducing diplomatic passports for Paramount Chiefs.

“Any programme introduced by government to uplift our well-being is a welcome development because it is also a motivation to us,” he said.

With the elevation of TA Govati to Senior Chief, Mwanza has all its three traditional authorities on equal position.

Mana /bm/ewc/tha