Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Luapula Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Machungwa has cautioned Zambians calling for change of Government to be careful because they may be calling for a change that will be retrogressive.
Dr Machungwa said the MMD Government had set the stage for progressive change in the lives of people through its policies in agriculture and other sectors of the economy.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Machungwa pointed out the increase in the number of farmers accessing the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the uniform fuel price as some of the progressive changes that the MMD Government had made towards achieving economic recovery.
He said, while the MMD Government had outlined its programmes and policies, which were now bearing desirable fruits, some opposition political parties were failing to articulate national issues effectively, but were thriving on petty politics of insults, tribalism and hatred.
[pullquote]“The country has a lot of challenges that needed to be addressed effectively and so it is imperative that we support Government policies that aim at achieving economic recovery, instead of wasting time on petty politics,” he said.[/pullquote]
Dr Machungwa said, despite some challenges facing the country, the MMD had policies and programmes that were set to achieve economic recovery, but some opposition members have nothing to offer apart from insults.
He said the Government was trying its best to improve people’s lives and should be supported to achieve economic recovery, instead of wasting time on petty politics of insults, name-calling and hatred.
“The country has a lot of challenges that needed to be addressed effectively and so it is imperative that we support Government policies that aim at achieving economic recovery, instead of wasting time on petty politics,” he said.
And Copperbelt MMD provincial youth chairperson Evans Chibanda has said there is no alternative to the ruling MMD because opposition political parties aspiring to take over Government had no programmes.
Mr Chibanda said while the MMD was outlining its successes and challenges, some opposition political parties were just convenient forums for idle people to make noise.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Why did you, in the first place, leave the MMD to join PF, if it was not for change?? Why not just admit that the NCC allowances have now corrupted your mind such that you fear change and the possible loss of protection from MMD from loosing your parliamentary seat, and another opportunity to freely abuse tax payers money??
You can fool some people all the time, but will not fool all the people all the time, you du.ll indutrial psychologist.
Yes, change iz not alwayz good, but doing nothing about a precarious situation iz even worse!
# 2 well said=d>=d>=d>=d>=d>
Machungwa should have been honourable enough to have left the PF when he was expelled so that he could speak with some credibility for the MMD, instead of clinging to the PF membership when he so much disagrees with that Party. Machungwa, together with his fellow PF rebels, are being immoral by insisting on remaining members of PF for the sake of pecuniary benefit, when their hearts and minds are not anywhere in PF. They can take a leaf from that honourable son of Zambia, Ngandu Magande. Then every one can respect them.
so why doesn’t he go back to MMD, the party that he keeps supporting from across the floor? It’s so difficult to follow someone that doesn’t show any integrity at all.
we have not had change in 20 years, so this maybe a good time to change. just like you change titles from MMD MP to PF MP to rabble PF MP to MMD Sympathizer.
Dr Machungwa if you think MMD is doing that fine why cant you relinguish the PF seat and see how popular their programmes are?
the devil you know is better than…. between mmd and the hopeless and uninspiring pact zambians are better off with mmd for years to come. we dont want to give up all the goodies we are seeing for the sake of change. the opposition need to do better than the comedy they sublect ba kaponya to
Machungwa has fed onthe NCC allowances. Now he is busy talking rubbish. This man is scared, very very scared Thats why clinging on to PF without resigning whilst supporting MMD. He was planted 2gether with other rebel PF MP’s by Chiluba to be the official spokechaps for the little big thief FTJ. Never, again. Never never and never again should PF adapt these social corrupt misfits who have embarrased PF in Luapula.
Mr Machungwa, this is your last year as an MP and MMD will not need you (and you are not going to stand on PF ticket!). Please start looking for a professional job. It will be a good chance for you to use your doctorate degree wisely in whatever field your are qualified.
“Change is not always good” UNIP to MMD wasnt the best ideal in that we elected a lazo
State awards K72.8bn hospital contracts
THE Ministry of Health has awarded contracts worth K72.8 billion for the construction of 12 district hospitals, six rural health centres, and seven rural health posts.
The contracts cover phase one of the construction of Namwala, Lundazi, Chavuma, Mwense, Milenge, Mongu, Luangwa, Mkushi, Serenje and Masaiti district hospitals at the cost of K4 billion each.
This is according to a statement issued yesterday.
The site handover for the phase one hospitals is scheduled for this month except for Serenje district hospital whose contractor is already on site.
Completion of phase one of the hospitals will range from 26 to 52 weeks.
Other contract awards are for the phase two and three which involve the construction of Mpulungu and Samfya district hospitals at a total cost of K6 billion.
Rural health centres earmarked for construction are Chitoshi at K1billion, Kanyembo Ntemena and Chipili at K3 billion and Chibale at K2 billion.
Others are Matumbo by Asesco Limited at K1 billion and Senga Hill by Asesco Limited at K2 billion.
A contract to refurbish the food and drug laborator
y at the University Teaching Hospital has been awarded to Kegon Services at K496 million.
The ministry has also awarded contracts for building materials for 125 rural health posts at K10 billion.
It has also awarded contracts for drugs, medical consumables, surgical and medical supplies worth K69 billion.
Contracts for drugs and medical supplies are valued at K5 billion, those for the supply and delivery of antiretroviral drugs are at K14 billion.
The contract for the supply and delivery of health centre kits is at K37 billion.
Contracts for I.V fluids and supply of vital medical supplies are valued at K4 billion and K665 million respectively.
Those for the supply of laboratory reagents and consumables and supply of anti-tuberculosis drugs are valued at K625 million and K2 billion respectively.
The contract for the supply of insulin is at K2 billion.
#11-15 you may have a point, but you will be very lucky to find somebody to read all theze paragraphs, especially on a forum like this.
The state should continue building and providing services to the people. They are using our money, and they should have done even better than this over the 20 years they have been in power. Because current leaders have been so bad at addding value to our money even though we have been paying them handsomely knowingly and unwillingly (knowingly through their slaries and allowances: unwillingly through their high levels of pilferage): RED CARD. Its too little too late bane. Kuya bebele!!
#11-15 Why now!!!!! You people think Zambians are that s.t.u.p.i.d to take your promises seriously? WHY NOW
Worried Red Card where is father Bwalya?
What’s your IQ level for you to fail to get it that you can not foo,l all the people all the time with your cheap, amateurish, foul propaganda??
we have no credible opposition party to changed to that can offer an alternative. pf and upnd are just busy insulting, insted of selling their agenda if they have any that is.
What are you doing in an opposition party, PF whose intention is to form the next government. Politics of the stomatch at play. Eeish.
I agree with you Machungwa change of Government next year will not be good for your pocket
Do these old fools ever ask themselves what values they are imparting on the Youth.Look at Lazo swinging from party to party to save his small sorry ass.
Machungwa is worried because he knows that MMD where he is running to will not form a Government. Can he tell us how he spends the Constituency Development Funds? You have fooled the people of Luapula Constituency for a long time.You must start packing your bags because I am coming to challenge you. Bootlegger!
Pakanwa nge Chi—- Why did you accept MMD to remove Unip? Oh it was good because you were a beneficiary of that 1991 revolution. If God decides no man can stop change.
The process of aging could be slowed down if it went through zambian politicians-they resist change.
Recycled politicians calling for recycled politics. You should be thankful that you can talk up the MMD now because of the change that brave Zambians accomplished when they booted out UNIP. Back then so many were saying such hollow things as you (Mr. Machungwa) are now saying. Aren’t you glad we never listened to them? By the way, what are you doing in the opposition if not but speaking from both ends of your mouth?