First Lady arrives in Mansa

First Lady Esther Lungu arrived in Mansa Friday afternoon in a trip meant to have an on the spot check on the challenges being faced by the under privileged and women clubs in Luapula province.

Mrs Lungu who travelled to Mansa aboard a Zambia Air Force plane arrived at Mansa Airport at 12:50 hours this afternoon.

She is accompanied by former First Lady Vera Tembo Chiluba and some Minister’s spouses among others.

Mrs Lungu who immediately paid a courtesy call on the Luapula Province Minister Brigadier General Benson Kapaya said she is in the province to see for herself the challenges that women and children are faced with in the province.

The First Lady who also appreciated the thunderous welcome accorded to her described the gesture as overwhelming and a clear indication of unity among the people and the Patriotic Front party in the province.

And Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya said the province is humbled by the visit of the first lady in the province.

General Kapaya told the First Lady and her entourage that Luapula province has a lot of developmental projects the government is undertaking i in terms of road network and general infrastructure.

Meanwhile Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali pledged the province’s support to all the projects and ensure that Government policies are implemented expeditiously.

And the First Lady is on Saturday expected in the Northern Province on a five-day official working visit.

Mrs. Lungu is scheduled to hold meetings with women groups and vulnerable communities in three districts namely Kasama, Mbala and Mpulungu.

She will also grace a fundraising dinner for the commemoration of the International Women’s Day in Kasama.

Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika confirmed this in Kasama today.

Mr. Nkunika said the First Lady is expected to pay a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking on Sunday morning before proceeding to Mbala for an official engagement.

While in Mbala, the First Lady will visit a Home based Care center and also address women groups in the district.

The PS said Mrs.Lungu will then leave for Mpulungu on Monday where she will also hold similar meetings with different women clubs.

He added that on Tuesday the First lady will return to Kasama and visit a one-stop-center for Gender Based Violence (GBV) Programmes and Kasama General Hospital before holding a series of meetings with various women clubs in the district.