And bemoaning climate change, the newly installed Senior Chief Nalubamba of Namwala district says the effects of climate change on his Chiefdom and the entire district and province have been devastating.

Chief Nalubamba said the unprecedented drought which has caused hunger and fueled poverty in his chiefdom calls for innovative ways of doing things going forward if the situation is to be managed satisfactorily.

He said it is no longer business as usual but that the times that have befallen the Chiefdom require that people think outside the box.

He said the world had evolved and urged his subjects to move out of the comfort zone and put in more work and effort if they are not to be left behind.

The senior Chief further said he would follow in his father's footsteps of upholding the human rights and dignity of his subjects.

He said his father had been passionate about seeing to it that the girl child has access to education and not married off at an early age.

"I commit to continue where my father left off. Human rights especially the rights of the girl child must be upheld," he said.

Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu's representative to the coronation, Hon. Dr Chitalu Chilufya, urged the Chief to work hand in hand with the government in the quest to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Dr Chilufya said the government was working round the clock to ensure that the people of Southern Province and other drought-prone areas are cushioned during this period.

SOURCES: Byta FM, Smart Eagles