Levy cautions people against dangerous health, cultural practices

President Levy Mwanawasa has cautioned the people against indulging in practices that may expose them to contracting the HIV/AIDS disease. Dr Mwanawasa encouraged the people to adopt positive health lifestyles and cultural practices to help stop the further spread of the disease. He said the HIV/AIDS scourge was taking away the most active members of society and has perpetuated the increasing statistics of orphans and other vulnerable children in the country. Dr Mwanawasa sounded the warning in a speech ready for him by Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister, Gabriel Namulambe, during the Lukwakwa traditional ceremony of the Mbunda people held at Senior Chief Sikufele's palace in Kabompo district over the weekend. He said government was committed to continue providing a conducive environment for improved quality of the life of people in North-Western Province and the country at large. As regards education, Dr Mwanawasa said government has spent over K 375 million towards improvement of structures at Manyinga primary school and an additional K 100 million on construction of a one by three classroom block at Kawanda basic school in north Western province. He said K 17million has already been spent on the construction of another one by three classroom block at Kasamba basic school and over K 41million for one staff house and VIP toilets at Kalyang'andu school in the area. In the area of infrastructure development, government was doing periodical maintenance of Manyinga-Mwinilunga road and has so far tarred 35 kilometres of the M 8road. Dr Mwanawasa said government is rehabilitating the Kabompo beekeepers centre at the cost of K 75million and urged the people in the area to get involved in the honey business. Speaking at the some occasion, Lukwakwa traditional ceremony committee Chairperson, Gregory Kangwanda, commended President Mwanawasa's administration for its good policies that have resulted in developments, among them the opening up of new mines, taking place in the province. Mr Kangwanda, however, appealed to government to urgently open Manyinga police post, to enhance security in the area. He also appealed to government to send a medical doctor at Loloma Mission hospital in Manyinga which he said has been running without a doctor for long time. Mr Kangwanda further appealed to government to continue subsidizing Agricultural inputs in order to boost crop production in the area.