NHCC opens office in Mongu

Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Permanent Secretary Micheal Pwete says Western province has a unique history of conservation and management of cultural and natural heritage resources in the region.

Speaking at the official opening of the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) office in Mongu last Friday, Mr. Pwete observed that for many centuries the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) and the people have been preserving Royal burial sites, the historical canals and the village mounds in the Barotse plains.

Mr. Pwete said the opening of the NHCC office has come at the right time as the commission has over the years identified and documented numerous cultural and natural heritage resources in the region.

The Permanent Secretary further said the commission intends to contribute to the development of the tourism sector in the area.

Earlier, the NHCC Executive Director Collins Chipote noted that the province has spectacular natural heritage sites that are in dire need of development hence private sector investment will be the commission’s first priority.

Mr. Chipote said conservation of cultural and natural heritage contributes to mutual understanding among cultures and nations hence the commission has a huge task ahead.

He further said that the renovation of the office costed K300, 000 and thanked the BRE and the Provincial Administration for the work in seeing that the work was done.

And Representative of the NHCC Board, Commissioner Clifford Chishala said the opening of the office will also help in disseminating the functions of the commission to the community and especially to the pupils and students who are future conservators of Zambia’s heritage.

Meanwhile, BRE representative Induna Katemba, Crispin Mowazambwe said the traditional leadership will continue to work closely with the commission in documenting the heritage information of the province.