Veteran town clerk Ali Simwinga retires

By ALEX NJOVU  
KITWE town clerk Ali Simwinga has retired after serving in the position for 19 years.
The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has since appointed Chibombo District council secretary David Kabanda as the new town clerk for Kitwe.
“I came to Kitwe as town clerk in October 1992, and I have produced a lot of town clerks who are heading various councils throughout the country.
“The town clerks I produced are also producing more town clerks. It is like a parent. When his children start producing their own children, the parent needs to stop, and it is time for me to rest,” Mr Simwinga said.
He was speaking in Kitwe yesterday when he introduced Mr Kabanda to councillors, management and workers at the Kitwe City Council.
“I have been privileged to serve as town clerk of Kitwe City Council since 1992, and I have watched with pride the city’s growth in terms of the valuation roll worth only K231 billion then, to a colossal 45,000 properties on our 2008 roll worth K5 trillion.” he said.
Mr Simwinga said investment prospects and development programmes in Kitwe have multiplied over the years.
“The transient population of 1.2 million people during the day and 522,092 at night speaks volumes of the city’s dynamics and growth. I am particularly proud of the fact that during my 19 years of humble service, I managed to promote a spirit of unity and cohesion among council workers, and indeed cultivated an extremely cordial relationship between management, workers, our leaders, the councillors and other stakeholders,” Mr Simwinga said.
He described Kitwe as a great city.
LGSC chairman Charles Sambondu commended Mr Simwinga for his commitment to duty.
Mr Sambondu said in an interview from Livingstone Mr Simwinga has contributed immensely to the growth of the local government system. He said MrSimwinga will be greatly missed.
“I think the new town clerk, Mr David Kabanda, is going to wear very big shoes left by Mr Simwinga. He has contributed a lot to the development of the local government system, and we are proud of his achievements,” Mr Sambondu said.
And Mr Kabanda said he will focus on development projects in Kitwe, and called for unity in the implementation of projects in the city.
Mr Kabanda said it is important for the local authority to start rehabilitating roads.
And Patriotic Front (PF) Kwacha member of Parliament Lombe Mulenga commended Mr Simwinga for his positive contribution to the development of the country.
In a vote of thanks, Mr Mulenga described Mr Simwinga as a humble man who devoted his time to uniting people and contributing to the well-being of the people of Kitwe.