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Government says it embraces every citizen in the country who wishes to join and support the ruling MMD party.
Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha stated that the MMD is a party for the people and is always ready to welcome everyone regardless of their status.
Lt. General Shikapwasha told the media in Lusaka this evening, that the announcement of United Party for National Development (UPND) members in Chifubu constituency to vote for MMD candidate Frank Ngambi in the forth coming parliamentary by elections is appropriate hence the MMD embracing the move.
He expressed gratitude to all UPND members who have pledged to vote for Mr. Ngambi in the Chifubu Parliamentary by elections.
Lt. General Shikapwasha, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, noted that people were now rejoining the ruling party because they have now realized that they were misled by the opposition parties.
He was also hopeful that similar actions where people are rejoining and supporting the ruling party would take place in Luena constituency of Western Province in the run up to the August 5, 2010 bye -elections .
The media today reported that UPND members in Chifubu constituency have pledged to vote for the MMD candidate Frank Ng’ambi in the August 5 Chifubu Constituency parliamentary by-elections.
This decision comes at a time when Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata launched a scathing attack against UPND counterpart Hakainde Hichilema thereby putting the future of the pact in serious doubt.
NITROGEN Chemicals of Zambia(NCZ) has produced half of the 20,000 tonnes of the D compound fertiliser contracted by Government under the farmers input support programme (FISP) for the next farming season.
NCZ chief executive officer Richard Soko said the company had so far produced 10,000 tonnes of fertiliser under the Government’s subsidised inputs programme.
Mr Soko said although the production had started at a slow pace due to some difficulties the company was facing, the remaining 10,000 tonnes were expected to be completed in the next two weeks.
The Government has this year contracted NCZ to supply 20,000 tonees of D compound fertiliser while Nyiombo Investments and Omnia will provide urea fertiliser under the same programme.
Mr Soko said the company would fulfill its obligation by ensuring that the inputs were available on time.
NCZ currently faces serious financial constraints and was left out of the Government’s contract to supply farmers’ inputs after being declared incapable for the challenge.
But the Government recently said the contract given to the company to produce 20,000 tonnes of fertiliser would gauge NCZ’s capability and efficiency for future contracts.
Meanwhile, Government has released K50 billion to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for the crop marketing programme and all the farmers who have so far delivered their crops will be paid this week.
And the agency has confirmed that some districts have run out of empty grain bags because of the increased rate at which farmers were delivering maize and rice to the various depots.
FRA executive director Anthony Mwanaumo said in a statement the Government had released the K50 billion which was part of the K100 billion allocated to the agency in this year’s national Budget.
FLASHBACK: Copperbelt University students listening to speeches by union leaders
COPPERBELT University (CBU) students on Saturday evening smashed two motor vehicle windscreens in a rumpus that followed a power outage.
Copperbelt University Students Union president, Mark Munafumpa and police told the Times in Kitwe yesterday the unruly behaviour was sparked by a disruption in electricity supply.
Campus security personnel apprehended two students in the confusion that happened between 19:00 hours and 21:00 hours.
Mr Munafumpa said shortly after electricity went off, some students ran amok and
went to Jambo Drive where they started throwing missiles and caused commotion among motorists.
He, however, said it was yet to be established whether the protest was actually sparked by the power outage or the students took advantage of the darkness to air their grievances over irregularities in meal allowance payments.
“I am made to believe that protest was over the issue of meal allowance and not the power outage because there are some omissions in payment of the allowances,” he said.
He some motorists were stoned although he could not tell how many vehicles were involved and the extent of the damage caused.
“On behalf of the union, we condemn the students’ action. Their behaviour was not necessary at all,” Mr Munafumpa said.
And police said two vehicles had their windscreens smashed by the students, and that no arrests were made.
CBU registrar Allan Ilunga said some students had not been paid their meal allowances.
Mr Ilunga said the affected students were either those who had not submitted their bank account numbers or those who had given wrong information.
Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) president Joyce Nonde-Simukoko
FEDERATION of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) president Joyce Nonde-Simukoko has said opposition political parties are not ready to take over Government because they have failed to demonstrate how they would run the affairs of the country.
Ms Simukoko said the failure by opposition parties to show Zambians their structures and who was in their shadow cabinets to explain how they would improve the various sectors of the economy was a clear indication that they are not ready to lead Zambia.
She said in an interview at the weekend that it was disappointing that instead of discussing issues that would benefit Zambians, opposition politicians were thriving on insults and petty matters.
She said Zambians expected opposition politicians to convince them that they would do better than the MMD if they were voted into office.
“The opposition should tell us how they would run the Government by giving us a picture of how they would deal with problems of unemployment and how they would improve education, health and other sectors.
“They have not explained anything and this shows that they are not ready to take over Government,” Ms Simukoko said.
Meanwhile, veteran politician Dennis Katilungu has said it is sad that the opposition, particularly the Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership, had kept inciting people to rise against the Government.
Mr Katilungu wondered why the opposition had preoccupied itself with campaigns
aimed at inciting people to revolt against the MMD leadership when the term of
office for the current Government had not ended.
[pullquote]Meanwhile, a recent opinion poll conducted in Lusaka by a non-governmental organisation shows that the MMD was now more popular in the province, at 55 per cent, trailed by PF at 30 per cent.[/pullquote]
Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka also described the pact as a ‘sinking titanic’ with no future and direction.
And UPND Mpima Ward chairperson Dearson Banda and several other pact leaders yesterday at rally held at Mpima grounds in Kabwe defected to the MMD at a rally addressed by Mr Muteteka.
Meanwhile, a recent opinion poll conducted in Lusaka by a non-governmental organisation shows that the MMD was now more popular in the province, at 55 per cent, trailed by PF at 30 per cent.
The poll puts UPND at third position with 15 per cent.
Leadership in Development executive director Moses Kalonde said in Lusaka yesterday the MMD had started regaining its traditional support in the province because of President Banda’s good economic policies that were now bearing fruit.
The poll also reveals that Zambians have lost confidence in PF leader Michael Sata and his UPND counterpart Hakainde Hichilema because both leaders were preoccupied with ambitions for State House.
Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma, who was given a lifeline by Moroka Swallows early last week when they took him off the transfer list, has gone Awol.Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma, who was given a lifeline by Moroka Swallows early last week when they took him off the transfer list, has gone Awol.
Confirming this to KickOff.com, Birds assistant coach Zeca Marques said that Mbesuma was no longer at training. “He is no longer with us and it looks like he will not be coming back to the team again either.”
Swallows coach Rainer Zobel told the Zambian Press at the weekend that he had enough of Mbesuma’s wayward behaviour.
“We are aiming to challenge for the championship in the coming season. I want to work with disciplined players. We are not going to tolerate indisciplined players at Swallows. I told Mbesuma that he must look for another team.”
In a five-year period, Mbesuma played for six teams – Kaizer Chiefs, Portsmouth (England), CS Maritimo (Portugal), Bursaspor (Turkey), Mamelodi Sundowns and Swallows. It remains to be seen if any PSL team will take a chance to sign the striker, who seems to have a problem of time-keeping.
Zobel also told the Zambian media that striker Lungisani Ndlela must look for a new team if he wants regular game-time.
“I am an honest person. I am not going to waste any player’s time here at Swallows,” the German mentor added.
Former SuperSport United striker Rudzani Ramudzuli, who was on trial, has also been told to stop training with the team as he is just not good enough.
Marques also told KickOff.com yesterday that former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Gareth Ncaca has impressed the Dube Birds technical team during his trials with the club.
Ncaca started training with the Soweto giants few weeks ago after being put on transfer by the Brazilians and now looks certain to don the maroon and white jersey this coming season.
Marques said the former Bay United midfielder will be part of the team travelling to Bloemfontein to play in the Manguang Cup this coming weekend.
“He has been very impressive and proved that he deserves to play for Swallows. We are just hoping that he will sign with us this season,” he added.
Vice President George Kunda says the opposition has no capacity to determine the destiny of the country.
And Mr. Kunda has declared that the ruling MMD government would continue ruling the country beyond 2030.
The Vice President said it is unfortunate that the opposition political parties have continued criticizing government and thereby cause confusion in the country as opposed to helping finding solutions to the many challenges facing the country.
Mr. Kunda attributed the situation to the non availability of convincing manifestos in the opposition parties.
He said unlike the opposition , the MMD is the only party which can practically discuss development because most of its works are there for all to see.
The Vice President was speaking at MOMBO Basic School when drumming up support for the MMD candidate Mwangala Maopo in the August 5th,2010 Luena Constituency bye-elections.
[pullquote]“ We also have Vision 2030 and we are determined to implement it and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves because we can see where we want this country to be,” he said.[/pullquote]
Mr. Kunda said currently government was working on a number of projects in Western Province including the construction of High Schools in Mwandi, Mwayukwayukwa, Nangweshi , Sikongo, Libonda and Nakanya Girls Technical High School.
“ All these projects are being undertaken because we are serious when we talk about development and this is not only going on here but in other parts of the country ,” MR Kunda said.
The Vice President said the government was not just finalizing the implementation of the fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) and was now working on the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) with a view of evenly taking development to all parts of the country.
He said this situation does not only happen in Zambia but that all governments the world over have development agendas for their countries.
“ We also have Vision 2030 and we are determined to implement it and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves because we can see where we want this country to be,” he said.
And the Vice President has declared that the MMD would continue to rule the country beyond 2030 whether or not the opposition likes it.
He said this is because the people of Zambia have confidence and trust in various development plans contained in the ruling party’s manifesto and other national development documents.
Mr. Kunda said the MMD was the only party in the country that has proved to be serious and competent in handling the i8ssues that concern the welfare of the people.
“ We can boast here that we are in control of the affairs of the nation including the budget.
“ We are also serious to talk about issues of sectors such as mining , agriculture and now we are also exploring for oil in North Western Province , “ the Vice President said.
Meanwhile, the VICE President has directed the ministry of education to immediately start planning for another high school in Luena constituency. The area has currently one high school called Limulunga Day High School.
Mr Kunda says it is important in ensuring that the project is budgeted for in the 2011 national budget.
He also directed Mr. Maopo to immediately follow up the projected once elected as new area MP.
The Vice President and his entourage has since retained to Lusaka.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) has urged its resident in areas it has increased garbage collection fees to respect and honor its decision it has made.
The council recently hiked garbage collection fees from K35, 000 to K45, 000 for Kamwala, Madras, Kabwata and Kabulonga residents respectively.
LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu said the increase in garbage collection fees has been prompted by the council’s desire to operate in a more efficient manner.
Mr. Habeenzu told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the council does not collect garbage everyday not because its Waste Management Unit (WMU) has a system in place for garbage collection.
He said residents in affected areas need to consider the increment saying it is out of this money that the council manages to carry out the responsibility of garbage collection.
Mr. Habeenzu also noted that residents should be mindful with the fact that fuel prices have been on an increase making it necessary for the council to hike the garbage collection fees to effect mobility of the vehicles
He further explained that the council does not fund the collection of garbage but that the residents are the ones that fund the exercise through the monies that they pay.
The LCC Assistant PR Manager added that its residents should realize that the same money that they pay is used for maintaining vehicles, purchasing of fuel as well as paying workers.
Some residents in the affected areas are reported in the local media to have complained about the hike of garbage collection fees from the current K35,000 to K45,000.
The residents have also accused the council of been less efficient in managing waste disposal in these areas and in the whole Lusaka city.
Meanwhile, Mr. Habeenzu says the council has not yet effected the programme where they could monitor street vending after 17:00hrs.
He said officers in charge of monitoring street vending are scheduled to knock off at 17:00hrs unless need arises to extend operating hours.
However, Mr. Habeenzu noted that the programme to effect the operations concerning street vending is been put into consideration.
Mr. Habeenzu said this when he was asked to explain why street vending in the city is on an increase after 17:00hrs especially in town along Lumumba road.
Government says it stands ready to work with the church in consolidating efforts aimed at preserving peace and unity in the nation ahead of the 2011 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa says the church should take a leading role of preaching peace as it is a prerequisite for national development.
Mr. Shawa, who is also Feira Constituency Member of Parliament, was speaking at the United Church of Zambia’s St James Congregation church building fund raising venture in Luangwa district, yesterday.
He called for enhanced partnerships between government and the church in the provision of social services such as health and education especially in remote areas.
Mr. Shawa also reaffirmed government’s commitment to seeking counsel from the church on national issues that affects the general citizenry.
And speaking at the same function, St James Congregation Reverend-In-Charge, Richard Musonda implored leaders at levels to use their influence to promote peace in the country.
Rev. Musonda advised the church to drop the confrontational stance against government policies by taking up an advisory role in order to accelerate meaningful national development.
He said his congregation embarked on the church building fund raising venture in order to rise over K 150 million towards the construction of the new church building.
Rev. Musonda further said, once the new church building is completed, it will cater for over 300 members who are currently congregating in a makeshift church.
He also announced plans establish a school for underprivileged children aimed at improving literacy standards in the district.
The Shacele community in Mwembeshi Constituency have hailed President Rupiah Banda’s Administration for successfully constructing a multi million kwacha health center in the area.
And Area Member of Parliament Edward Kasoko has advised the Shacele community to jealously guard the new institution as it
Saying the institute has come at an opportune time when they needed health services just a stone throw away.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS on behalf of the community in Shacele today, Nick Monge, said the community in Shacele is so grateful to the government of President Banda for setting aside funds that have utilized to construct the long awaited health center in the area.
Mr. Monge noted that the new health center when fully operational ease the various challenges the community has been experiencing in accessing various health services.
The community has not had any health center in almost three decades, making it to travel kilometers on end either by foot, bicycles and other modes of transportation to the Mwembeshi Sub- boma for the health services.
The most affected were pregnant women and the terminally ill who have over time been forced to give birth and treatment at home. The new health center which has already opened its doors to the public, will be officially opened soon by government.
What is remaining is for the power company Zesco Limited, which has already been paid the connection fee, to connect electricity to the institution. Once this is done the area will have a multiplier effect on other areas such as Chabota ward 5.
And Mr. Kasoko said while he was grateful to government for construction of the health center in the area, it was important that the residents in the area should jealously guard the property.
He said that the community and the surrounding areas will stand to benefit from the various services that will be offered such as the under-five anti-natal clinic, Voluntary Counseling and testing (VCT ), among others.
“ I want to urge the people of Shacele and the surrounding community to jealously guard the health center as it is their own property they themselves will be using it,” he said.
The area MP has also hailed government for funding the rehabilitation of the Mukulaikwa Agriculture Training Center worth millions of Kwacha.
Mr Kasoko told ZANIS with the rehabilitation work nearing completion, it will provide various opportunities for the farming community in the area to learn better farming skills.
He also thanked government for its deliberate programme of restocking farms with cattle saying government has to this effect also included the establishment of drugstores for domestic animals to contain cases of Foot and Mouth Diseases (FMD) commonly known as Denkete.
Vice president George Kunda gives a token of appreciation to a dancer from the Amayenge band.
Vice President George Kunda says government will continue with its developmental programmes in all parts of the country without discrimination.
Mr. Kunda said this is important in the country’s endeavor to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the people.
Speaking when he addressed a campaign rally to drum up support for the MMD candidate in the Luena by elections Maopo Mwangala at Ndanda Primary School yesterday, Mr. Kunda called on the people in Luena to elect a leader who will effectively represent them in parliament.
He said Luena constituency has continued to lag behind because its former Member of Parliament did not effectively represent the people.
He warned them against voting for the opposition because they are always opposing government in its endeavor to take development to the area.
He said there was need for people in Luena to come along with government and ensure that their area receives equal attention from government.
Mr. Kunda said the MMD government has proved to be part of people adding that many across the country have now realized the need to align themselves with government.
“Our government seeks to develop all areas without any sent of discrimination that is why we have people coming back to the MMD,” said Mr. Kunda.
He said the opposition political parties can never offer solutions to the main challenges facing Luena because they do not control the budget.
He described the MMD candidate in the by election slated for August 5, Maopo Mwangala as a high quality candidate who would help change the state of affairs in the constituency.
“Government is a custodian of the development agenda of this country and we are the ones that control the budget so the opposition has nothing to offer,” he said.
Mr. Kunda called on the people to vote for Mr. Mwangala because he is knowledgeable and can work with government without confrontation.
UNIP is fielding Mutakela Mutakela in the bye-elections while UPND is fielding Muyunda Ililonga, ULP has Musole Katala as its candidate while ADD is fielding the former independent area Member of Parliament Charles Milupi.
The United Party for National Development, UPND, has said that the Patriotic Front is a bad and unfaithful partner.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with QFM, Party Deputy Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, said the cracks being experienced in the pact are as a result of lack of faithfulness from the PF side.
Mr. Mweetwa said the PF has been treating the UPND as a junior and inexperienced party in the pact, a situation which he said the UPND will not accept.
He said there are high chances of the pact likely to fail as long as the PF continues seeing itself a senior party in the pact.
He said the differences which erupted at the time the two parties were fielding in candidates for the Kaoma and Chadiza Local government by-elections could have been avoided if the Patriotic Front had avoided coming up with a candidate for Kaoma, after the UPND had already done so.
He said the fielding in of candidates should be seen from the perspective of each party’s merit in a particular area, and not from the party being senior or junior.
[pullquote]Mr. Mweetwa however said the pact can still survive despite the differences going on at the moment.[/pullquote]
Mr. Mweetwa however said the pact can still survive despite the differences going on at the moment.
He said the differences going on in the pact are a good recipe for binding the pact together because by the time they are overcome, the two parties in the pact will have known the right way to avoid such hiccups in the future.
The PF/UPND pact has been going through hardships and misunderstandings for over two weeks now following differences in the fielding in of candidates for both Kaoma and Chadiza Local government by-elections slated for August five.
[pullquote]Mr. Mulongoti noted that the antagonism within the pact has been hugely brought up due to the high ego being exhibited by both Mr. Hikainde Hichilema and Mr. Michael Sata.[/pullquote]
The ruling movement for multi party democracy MMD has charged that it will graciously take advantage of the situation if the opposition UPND/PF PACT hiccups persist
And MMD elections chairman , Mike Mulongoti disclosed to QFM in an interview that what is happening within the pact does provide the ruling party a great chance of shedding off some competition.
Mr. Mulongoti said that the cracks in the pact are not new and were expected.
He said that this is because both parties in the pact are mere offshoots of the ruling MMD and are bound to differ on grounds of principle.
He said that the two pact leaders are both fighting tireless for the same position and cannot allow one to lead the other.
[pullquote]He nevertheless indicated that it was saddening that such a great competitor of the MMD was slowly weakening and not supporting the basis of democracy that Zambia has been building through multi party politics.[/pullquote]
Mr. Mulongoti noted that the antagonism within the pact has been hugely brought up due to the high ego being exhibited by both Mr. Hikainde Hichilema and Mr. Michael Sata.
He nevertheless indicated that it was saddening that such a great competitor of the MMD was slowly weakening and not supporting the basis of democracy that Zambia has been building through multi party politics.
But if the pact is to discontinue, the MMD is ready to put the opportunity to good use especially in the forthcoming presidential elections set for 2011.
Standard chartered bank has suspended the Automated teller machine use because of the VISA scam cards. Initial investigations into the VISA cards scam in Zambia indicate that Information Technology (IT) experts in the banks have been selling codes and passwords to a cartel of crooks.
A check by QFM this morning at stanchart long acres found a ATM machine not working. It is alleged that The IT officials have been selling customer data and other ATM information to a cartel of well-known Lusaka crooks.
When information on VISA cards have been purchased, the businessmen print duplicate ATM cards and then fly to South Africa and Dubai where the massive withdrawals are made.
There is total chaos in the banks as police officers have moved in and the banks are frantically trying to root out the culprits.One bank official a few weeks ago is said to have reported to police that some conmen went to ask for a CD Stanbic affected too
The invasion of Zambian banks’ VISA cards system by supposedly by Dubai based crooks has spread to Stanbic. Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays Bank are the worst hit.
Standard Chartered Thursday evening confirmed that they had shut down their VISA service in Zambia citing security breaches on its internet services.
Director of corporate Affairs Luke Ndlovu made the confirmation. There is panic in the banks as customers are reporting unknown withdrawals from their accounts and thereby losing incomes, salaries and benefits.
According to sources, these withdrawals are made using swipes and that most swipe withdrawals are traced to Dubai, in the United Emirate Republic.
Suspected UPND cadres in Siavonga Township last night ambushed and damaged a vehicle that is being used by MMD to campaign for its candidate in the forth coming Kariba ward by election.
A mob of cadres clad mainly in their party attire ambushed the Premio car, registration number 7500 around 22:00 hours in the township and completely smashed the rear wind screen.
Confirming the incidence in an interview with ZANIS yesterday morning, MMD District Secretary Zobbie Kaira disclosed that the UPND cadres blocked the road forcing the vehicle to stop before smashing the wind screen.
Mr. Kaira who was driving the car said the incidence occurred while a team of MMD members was driving around the township campaigning using the public address system for its candidate, Albert Simakole who is contesting the by election on the MMD ticket.
When contacted for a comment, UPND District publicity Secretary Sanford Namayola confirmed the incidence saying the MMD should have itself to blame.
Mr. Namayola said the MMD caused the violence by provoking the UPND cadres after they went to an area where the UPND cadres were camping.
Mr. Namayola revealed that the MMD vehicle drove into Fishing camp area around 22:15 hours and started hurling insults at the jubilant drunken UPND cadres who were planning and making final touches on their presidents visit Hakainde Hichilema to the area yesterday.
He said though the UPND regretted the damage caused to the vehicle, the move should however save as a lesson to the MMD to avoid doing things that provoke the other parties.
Mr. Hichilema is this afternoon expected to address a campaign rally at Zesco grounds in Siavonga to drum up support for UPND candidate Mubiana Lubinda.
The growing trend of political violence in the country among the ruling and opposition parties in recent times has threatened national security.
The recent political violence in the Mufumbwe bye-elections is a case in point where lives and property worth thousands of kwacha was lost.
A peasant farmer, who would benefit from a Mongu-Kalabo road, drying his agriculture produce in Mongu.
Vice President George Kunda says government is aware that the people of Western Province are yearning for development.
Mr. Kunda says it is for this reason that government has since responded by initiating several projects in the area.
The Vice President, however, says a lot more remains to be done.
Mr. Kunda was speaking in Mongu this morning when he officiated at the Kufuluhela traditional ceremony of the Lozi people.
He said government has done some work in the area and that it was its wish to do more to the satisfaction of the people.
He named some of the projects as the construction of basic school and the multi-billion kwacha Mongu- Kalabo road project, the construction of the K2.4 billion district hospital among others.
He said the Mongu- Kalabo road project had temporarily stalled because of the terrain and the high water levels.
Mr. Kunda said engineers from China are already in the country t o work on the project.
He also said government has also set aside K5 billion under the Rural Road Development to support road works on the Limulunga-Usha road among others.
“We want to improve the road network in this province and we are already working in that direction. We are working on the Mongu-Kalabo road, ,” he said.
The Vice President also disclosed government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Angola government on the Shangombo-Libungu canal to boost trade between the two countries.
He urged people in the province to take advantage of the situation to improve their businesses.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kunda has called upon the electorate in Luena constituency to vote for MMD candidate Mwaangala Maopo, in the August 5 parliamentary by-election.
He said unlike other constituencies in the province, Luena has continued to lag behind because the area has had opposition members of parliament.
Mr. Kunda said the last MP, Mr. Charles Milupi, who is also recontesting the seat on Alliance for Democracy Development (ADD) was not concerned with the welfare of the people in his constituency because he was preoccupied with NGOs in Lusaka.
He said there is need for a new Member of parliament that will stir development in the area.
He accused Mr. Milupi of having made several promises to the people but has not fulfilled them.
He said Mr. Milupi has even gone ahead to form a political party just for his personal satisfaction and not for the people of Luena.
“This man is fond of day dreaming, he promised to bring a mine at Kaboko, a sugar plantation in Sitoya, a mushroom canning factory but he has failed to do these things for you,” said Mr. Kunda.
The Vice President said once voted into office Mr. Maopo would easily work with government and effectively represent the people of Luena in parliament.
He charged that Mr. Milupi was going round telling people that he had been using his personal money on some projects yet he had been using the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
He said CDF is government money meant for development projects in all constituencies.
“This money is government money and he has not even been using it properly. Do not be cheated that he was using his own money,” said Mr. Kunda.
And Mr. Kunda has said government is looking for a suitable place on which to construct a High School in Limulunga.
Mr. Kunda said government will budget for the project in the 2011 national budget.
He said such projects are going on in all parts of the country.
“We know that people here in Limulunga need a high school and I can assure you that we will construct it and we will budget for it,” said the Vice President.
He also assured the people in the province that government will continue to provide market for maize and rice grown in the area.
Some Chifubu residents during an MMD rally for the Chifubu pariamentary seat
The MMD has said opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) members in Chifubu have decided to rally behind the MMD candidate in forthcoming parliamentary by-elections because they have realised that the ruling party is best-placed to meet their aspirations.
And Chief Mwanachingwala of the Tonga people has said the problems in the alliance between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the UPND provide another opportunity for the MMD to win the general elections.
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu said in an interview yesterday that friction in the PF-UPND pact will, however, not preoccupy the ruling party’s resolve to fulfill its promises to Zambians.
“We welcome the UPND support in Chifubu. Obviously, they have seen that we are a better alternative and we have a credible candidate,” Mr Nyangu said.
The UPND in Ndola have decided to rally behind the MMD candidate, Frank Ng’ambi, because they are unhappy with the selection process for the candidate to represent the PF-UPND alliance.
Mr Nyangu said discontented pact members are welcome into the MMD because that is where some of them came from.
He, however, said that problems in the alliance are inconsequential to the ruling party. Mr Nyangu also warned Kafulafuta Member of Parliament George Mpombo that he will soon get what he “wants” for his incessant attacks against the party and President Banda.
Mr Nyangu said imputations by Mr Mpombo that the MMD is celebrating problems that have emerged in the PF-UPND pact were just one of those unwarranted commentaries that Mr Mpombo has become synonymous with.
Mr Nyangu said the MMD Government is working on delivering on its promises to the Zambians because this is the platform they will campaign on.
“We will not exert our efforts on problems of the pact. There is nothing to celebrate. Our preoccupation is to provide the best service to the people and build MMD into a stronger political party,” Mr Nyangu said.
He said it was about time the party acted against Mr Mpombo because the people were fed up of his incessant attacks against President Banda and the MMD.
Mr Nyangu said the Kafulafuta MP should not beg the MMD for forgiveness when they take action against him.
Meanwhile, Chief Mwanachingwala has said the MMD will win the 2011 elections because UPND president Hakainde Hichilema ignored the “winning formula” they gave him before the 2008 presidential election.
Chief Mwanachingwala said Southern Province chiefs met Mr Hichilema in Choma and asked him to form an alliance with the MMD but he did not listen.
He said the idea was for Mr Hichilema to align himself with President Banda so that the UPND leader could be adopted as presidential candidate by the two parties either for the 2011 or 2016 presidential election.
“The problem is that he doesn’t want to listen to the chiefs. If God has not anointed you to be President, you just don’t listen to people,” Chief Mwanachingwala said.
He said all the major tribes should have an opportunity to rule Zambia because this can only be done on the platform of a political party with a national character.
The chief said the UPND asked for the problems they are experiencing in the pact because they asked for an alliance from a party which did not need them.
“Whatever stance Mr Sata has taken is okay. I have a lot of respect for Mr Sata because he did go to (Mr) Hichilema. It is (Mr) Hichilema who went (approached) to (Mr) Sata. We asked him to merge with President Banda he did not listen,” Chief Mwanachingwala said.
Meanwhile, ZNBC reports that over 30 PF and UPND supporters have defected to the ruling MMD in Kabwe’s Mpima township.
The opposition members defected at a meeting convened by Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka. Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former PF Mpima Ward vice-chairman Deason Banda said he has decided to join MMD because the PF-UPND pact has nothing to offer.
