Former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has paid tribute to Sidik Mia’s family describing the demise of Mia as a heavy blow to the nation.

DPP’s regional governor for the south Charles Mchacha led a delegation that paid tribute to the Mia’s family at their residence in the lower shire.

In his remarks Mchacha said Mia was a man of the people and he loved his country much.

“Sidik Mia was the man of the people, he could help everyone without looking at religion or political affiliations. Such people are difficult to find and we don’t know who might replace Mia,” Said Mchacha.

Mchacha also described Mia as a developmental focused individual who love his country much.

Mchacha who recently announced his intentions to contest at the upcoming DPP elective Indaba said the party is strong and they will keep it so.

Sidik Mia was once a member of DPP before he dumped the party for People’s Party (PP) and later joined MCP where he died while service as the party’s first vice president. In all the regimes Mia served in various ministerial position and died while he was Minister of Transport and public works.

The lower shire giant succumbed to Covid-19, he was the second most top government official to die of the pandemic after Lingson Belekanyama.