Luapula Province minister, Boniface Kawimbe has called on the church leadership in the province to join government in sensitizing people against disregarding the annual fish ban, which is in effect.
In a statement dated November 28, 2009 and titled ‘justification for religious enforcement of the Fish Ban’, Dr. Kawimbe said the fish ban is put in place in order to allow the fish to reproduce in the lakes and rivers in the province.
He said the recovery of fish stocks in the lakes and rivers will improve the income of fishermen, which will in turn improve various sectors of the economy.
Dr. Kawimbe observed that churches in the area stand to benefit from this multiplier effect of the fish economy because the church offerings always reflect the state of the economy of its worshippers.
“Our fishermen will catch more fish and earn more money than they are doing now. There will be more trucks coming to transport fish to markets and traders will provide business to lodges, restaurants, bars and more business to shops,” he said.
The fish ban came into effect on December 1st and is expected to be lifted on March 1st next year..
Dr. Kawimbe has also appealed to people in the province to desist from abetting illegal fishing activities by not buying fish during the fish ban.
He also warned transporters against abrogating the fish ban through allowing their vehicles to smuggle fish during the ban.
The minister said this year’s fish ban was different because it was being reinforced by all security wings and patriotic villagers who have since formed village fisheries committees.
Dr. Kawimbe also disclosed that the Zambian government and the Democratic Republic of Congo will conduct joint patrols on Lake Mweru and Luapula River, which the two countries share, to ensure strict observance of the annual fish ban.
He has further called on chiefs, local authorities and schools to continue sensitising people on the importance of the fish ban.
ZANIS
Why use religion as a springboard for politics, Mr. Kawimbe? Water & oil can’t mix.
We cannot preach fish we preach the gospel , since every knows about fish why waste Gods time on fish, we preach salvation of souls
#1 and #2, Nine Chale, what’s so political about the fish ban? Its a policy that aims at ensuring fish populations are managed sustainably! The church is a very effective channel of communicating many social-economic issues that affect the well-being of its members.
#3 Bwezani, you’re right when you say its a policy but IMO it becomes a political issue as soon as the Minister brings it before the church leaders expecting them to disseminate his programm on the pulpit. I dont think it is right for Christians to use the House of God intended for spiritual worship to pursue earthly goals. We are in the world but NOT of this world, or as Christ put it: “my kingdom is not of this world”.
#4, while the church exists to stir us into the kingdom of God, it does not do so by ignoring the society in which it exists. Even the tithe and offering which it strongly emphasises comes from the members earthy economic activities. So why shouldn’t it be used as a forum for disseminating information about something that directly affects it’s members’ sources of income. Let’s spiritualize and politicize everything.
let the people observe the ban period
it is very good for the preachers to teach people to let the fish breed and conserve it for themselves, churches in these areas depend on offerings and tithe from the same fisher men. once the lakes go out of fish, people will become poorer together with the same churches. this is not a political issue. its for their future. fish banning has alwas been there. its dull to connect the minister with this and call it political. infact these ministers are confortable enough and may not need the this same fish for them to survive. let them finish the fish then we shall see how they will survive. most of the pople in luapula depend on fish even to educate there children. finishing fish, is tantamount to end of luapula provice.
BONIFACE KAWIMBE (I am not your fan), BUT YOU ARE VERY RIGHT ON THAT. THE FISH BAN LAW MUST BE FOLLOWED. AND EVERY LOW IN ZAMBIA MUST BE FOLLOWED BY ALL THE PEOPLE.
…AND ON TOP OF THAT, TRY TO OFFER ALTERNATIVES TO PEOPLE.
Lekani bantu badje nsomba, are that crazy in your heads that they can finish the fish, The SAME GOD you are talking about gave us that fish to eat not to waste, i cant sleep na njala because some politician who is FAT, RICH WITH A FULL BELLY FROM LSK says so, tilekeni osa yamba masobela pa chakudya
NINE CHALE is rite, just say what you want as government, dont use religions to further your AGENDA, but we shall continue eating fish banned or not banned JUST LIKE WE EAT BANNED GAME MEAT
This just shows that Kawimbe has no idea what it means to be Provincial Minister. Preach about what???My foot. Please mule landako ifyamano muli bakulu ba mudala imwe. I think the time you spent working in a nursing home in the US has confused you. Ulimbe
Kawimbe is right, the church has to be relevant to society by adressing issues affecting the society and fish ban is just one of them. Bravo Kawimbe!!!!!!
As a person who has had experience in the Luapula fishing history, I still blame the Unip government for our present situation. Before independence, there was no need for a fishing ban period because fishing patrols by NRG(Northern Rhodesia Government) fish were well coordinated and very effective.At that time if one was found to use unauthorised methods or wrong nets one would be sent to prison without hesitation. Also certain areas were no fishing zones as they were the breeding areas for fish.One such area is where the Luapula joins Lake Mweru. Upon getting our independence the fish guards were attacked and some had their houses burnt and it all became amayendele- free for all. The Unip government did nothing to stop this until the MMD came to power and brought the fishing ban period.
‘Preaching about fsh’ madness, they’ve run out of ideas.
No wonder some politicianz are making the men/women of the pulpit so cheap by asking them to preach about condomz!
Give them money to feed on till that day you expect them to restart their job.