VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has called for creation of more opportunities in communities for economic activities that could enhance the standards of living of the people.
Mr Kunda has also said that investment in real estate was one way in which grassroots communities can have sustainable income-generating programmes.
He said this in Lusaka yesterday at a fundraising breakfast meeting for St. Theresa Catholic Church in Lusaka’s high-density Chainda Township.
Mr Kunda said opportunities must be created at community level to empower those who are keen to work.
“As long as one has enthusiasm and the desire to progress, the opportunities are becoming available.
Even with degree programmes, there are fast track programmes being put in place for those who want to undertake such courses,” he said.
Mr Kunda said it is now Government’s desire that communities take advantage of opportunities being availed to embrace self-reliance.
He said that Government is committed to working with the church in order to enhance economic sustainability in communities.
Mr Kunda said that the church complements Government’s efforts in upgrading and training the people in various skills.
He said although various Government institutions offer training skills, they are inadequate for the needs of all Zambians requiring such skills.
Mr Kunda said it is encouraging that the community in Chainda has risen to the challenge and decided to empower its members with various skills in carpentry, basic automotive engineering, fabrication of various equipment and literacy lessons to improve educational standards.
He said that the Government will always support Church activities that contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
Mr Kunda applauded the Chainda community and the Catholic Church for their programmes to sustain income-generating activities.
He also commended Chainda community for acquiring real estate because this is the best way of sustaining programmes.
Mr Kunda appealed to the community to jealously guard the property against vandalism.
He said it is only such efforts that can raise the living standards of communities countrywide.
“I understand that the hall will be available for hire to interested parties for functions so as to raise money that will go towards supplementing the running of various programmes and activities that are planned for at this centre,” Mr Kunda said.
Mr Kunda, however, said that Government cannot do everything alone and thus welcomes the church and community efforts that are complementary to those of State.
Member of Parliament, Sylvia Masebo, asked the office of the Vice-President to quickly release funds to Chainda to mitigate poverty.
Ms Masebo said the growth of the community is in the hands of the disaster management office especially that all the problems of Chainda were a disaster.
Parish priest, Patrick Barry, said the church will continue working with Government to undertake various activities that will contribute to national development.
Fr. Barry also said the multipurpose hall will not benefit the Catholic community alone but will embrace the whole community regardless of religion, race or tribe.
Most boring politician in the history of Zambia!Cant understand how he became MP in the firt instant? Just an interesting question: Are we able to public officers qualification in the civil service? Or could someone out there give me the run-down…..
Wrong timing Mr Kunda your MMD government has for alongtime failed to give people of opportunities to progress,so how come you ask them to use opportunities which they dont see because you guys have failed to provide for the people of Zambia such opportunities. Learn to read your mind before you fool people.
Man you guys are hardcore critics – ever on the contrary. I personally see nothing wrong with the Veep’s appeal – no one but the people on the grassroots can create better opportunities for themselves and their communities since they know their needs best. To me it makes a lot of sense.
Always contradicting themselves…….for seemly political reasons the same people blockin’ the creation of another mobile service provider are the same ones callin for providing more opportunities. How in the world do u provide more opportunities if u are not allowing direct investment which will create employment?
Who is going to create these opportunities and by what means? These are the questions the veep should have addressed, as well as the role of govt in the process.
# 1 MB, How did you find yourself in the UK with those communication challenges?I suggest to get enrol in high school for English lessons otherwise blog in your native language.Read through you post to appreciate my advice.It will be hard for you to land a professional job with your exhibited challenges in English
So why are they in Govt if all they do is issuing calls and speeches. Anyone can issue calls and give speeches Zambia needs Implementers, one year is soon coming to pass and Zambians need to evaluate their performance based on action, not speeches and not always playing with people’s mind of asking for more time. More time for what, to destroy the country more?
To whom is George Kunda appealing? He is acting more like a person who is in the opposition appealing to the government of the day. People are paying their PAYE and value added taxes and expect the government to create the opportunities he is talking about. Who else has access to the public treasury? Nonsense!
I think Zambia needs to roundup everyone who has ever held a political position & high government position and drown them in the Kariba Dam. We would then have people who have never done this political thing or government thing and I realize it is hard to run government but people who have never done this cannot mess this up any more than these a$$holes are doing.
# 3 read #2 there’s on way people can develop themselves without creating an evironment for such.l agree with # 2
These muppets called the government in Zambia are a very painful joke! It is no other than the government’s responsibility to createopportunities in communities for economic activities that could enhance the standards of living of the people and for the entire VP to call for this is a clear indication that he is clueless on how to do that. No wonder that frog called Lungwangwa next to Kunda is sleeping, they are all muppets and they think running the government is like being on a muppet show..
That is development for the Chainda residents by the Catholic Church surprisingly King George Kakunda was guest of honour after taking much against the same church. These politicians are never ashamed of their deeds. The Church & GOvt are partners in development and should be seen to be working hand in hand and GRZ and its likes of Kunda should accept constructive criticism. A check around Lusaka will tell that the biggest community halls are owned by the church. Leaders should not be seen to be fighting the church but work together for the common gud.
Like or hate him, his statement is fine. The govt is the major stakeholderin the economy but not the only one. I will give you an example of the Cotton Industry that has grown mainly in the Eastern and Southern provinces . this is largely private sector driven. So the Churches, NGI’s donors, you and I can all help in the creation of opportunities. Though i guess it is easier to sit on our laurels and criticise
Hope it’s not a case of all talk. Over the years the MMD govt has been fond of annoucing sound and attractive programs, but they never seem to get started. These programs are never backed by action on the ground. They end up gathering dust and are shelved away into oblivion.
Hope they have a plan they will try to religiously implement. However this bunch doesn’t inspire a lot,.