Chief Mukuni supports Legacy Holdings

By WALLEN SIMWAKA

CHIEF Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people says he would continue to campaign for the full development of the Legacy Holdings project in the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park.

Chief Mukuni said tourism was a lifeline for the people in his chiefdom.

Speaking in an interview at his palace, Chief Mukuni said although the Environmental Council of Zambia had rejected part of the project, the people insist on full development as proposed by promoters.

He said it would be unfair to Legacy Holdings if they did not go ahead with their project.

He said the growth of tourism in Livingstone would improve many lives.

"To us the Legacy Holdings project is an equivalent of Lumwana mine in Solwezi. Our friends in other places have benefited from the mining investment and you cannot take tourism away from us,” Chief Mukuni said.

“The people in the chiefdom are determined to see the Legacy Holdings project coming to fruition.

He explained that tourism remained the only source of empowerment in his chiefdom and he would therefore continue to encourage investors to expand the industry.

"Some of my subjects have now become homeowners and are driving because of tourism. This is not fiction and we want to see more investment in tourism. We have seen the benefits of tourism in the chiefdom and we want more," the chief said.

The ECZ has rejected the Legacy Holdings proposed construction of an 18-hole golf course, a country club and 450 villas in the national park but allowed the construction of the two hotels.