President Rupiah Banda has said only the politically blind Zambians were not seeing the developmental projects Government was implementing in all parts of the country. The President said this upon arrival at Ndola International Airport Friday ahead of tomorrow’s official opening of the Zambia International Trade Fair to be graced by Botswana President, Lieutenant General Seretse Ian Khama.

Speaking to a huge gathering that received him at the airport, President Banda said the ruling MMD party was national in character, represented by every tribe, province and district.The President Banda said only the MMD Government and former ruling party UNIP had worked on most of the roads of the nation which had never been rehabilitated for over 20 years.

The President said the ruling MMD government had brought development in many areas of Zambia’s economy such as the construction of schools and health institutions and many others.President Banda urged the MMD leaders in Ndola to remain focused and amicable and choose a candidate to float during the forthcoming Chifubu by elections who he said he would support fully.

[pullquote]The President Banda said only the MMD Government and former ruling party UNIP had worked on most of the roads of the nation which had never been rehabilitated for over 20 years.[/pullquote]

He said the MMD should embark on a door to door campaign to ensure that the party scoops the vacant seat. In a related development, President Banda urged the MMD to campaign hard and win all the nine local government elections around the country as well. Speaking about his health status, he said he was fit and sure that he and the MMD will win the 2011 general elections after telling the people the truth about how the ruling party had delivered over the many years it had been in power.

He said he would campaign vigorously and reach every village in Zambia. Speaking about the welfare of traditional leaders, President Banda said it was only the MMD that started refurbishing and electrifying the chiefs’ palaces. The President commended all Zambians for being peaceful people resulting in other African Heads of State expressing their desire to visit Zambia.

[pullquote]In reference to the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema, the President said the opposition should stop using abusive language and showing desperation to rule Zambia, adding that there were many more Zambians who were young better qualified than him.[/pullquote]

In reference to the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema, the President said the opposition should stop using abusive language and showing desperation to rule Zambia, adding that there were many more Zambians who were young better qualified than him. Upon arrival at Ndola International Airport,

President Banda was received by Copperbelt Provincial Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima, Provincial MMD ChairPERSON Joseph Chilambwe, Service Chiefs and other Senior MMD and Government officials.

He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, other Senior Government and MMD officials.

ZANIS

By Chilekwa M. Mumba
Time and time again, Zambia’s political scene displays a lack of direction in both our party in government, as well as our major opposition parties who are currently clamoring to ensure the MMD’s exit. This past week unfolded some more political drama that sparked off everything from exchanges of unpalatable words in our local politics to international diplomatic rows. Zambians and the international community observed this fuming spectacle, now thankfully in its simmering stage. The hot air surrounding it is slowly evaporating as is to be expected with steam- and I choose the term “hot air” very intentionally, albeit sarcastically as the conclusion of this polemic will demonstrate.

At a time when our country is heading for major elections, we are supposed to see a difference between the ruling MMD and the country’s opposition. Instead, as we observe the substance (or lack thereof) of political debate, due to the haplessness of the politicians marketing themselves to the Zambian electorate, I cannot help but draw a comical comparative between our political leaders [as salesmen] who all claim to have the “best fix” to our country’s woes, and an old Chinese fable. The tale I refer to tells of a slick talking entrepreneur-cum-salesman who arrives in a village claiming to sell a spear which will penetrate everything and a shield which will block anything. Buyers anyone? No I doubt you will find any takers! If anything, the salesman/politician ends up looking like the oaf. [pullquote]At the end of the day, what was supposed to be a debate on accountability turned into as productive a debate as you would expect between two blocks of wood-nothing.[/pullquote]

In the same vein, our ruling MMD and current opposition will sell nothing to our electorate by their empty and nonconstructive rumblings on donor money. Our ever opportunistic MMD took this serious issue to look large and in charge by claiming sacred sovereignty over our country and thus these monies; and our ever inopportune opposition took this serious issue to express their angelic humility by gaudily stressing our dependency on donors. At the end of the day, what was supposed to be a debate on accountability turned into as productive a debate as you would expect between two blocks of wood-nothing. Donor money will continue to flow in the same path, seeing that the people responsible preferred a shouting match over debating on how to best utilize and account for it.

What is most irking about this particular situation is the fact that we find the donors playing the sensible role of demanding accountability for our country’s financial resources- a role which Zambians have entrusted to the opposition and party in government. It is quite troubling to note that the opposition decided to play the “choir-boy” role, going out of their way to sing praises for donors instead of directing this energy to not only demand accountability, but start discussing ideas of alternative policy arrangements that will ensure that donor money goes to its intended recipients. Donor money is no trivial issue-this is money that mostly supports critical life and death efforts such as our country’s health sector as well as Zambia’s infrastructure development. These displays of tactlessness from the opposition will not separate them from the very party they wish to replace. I wish to remind the opposition that whilst their “dependency song” will certainly attract shady “donors” who want to control our country’s fate, it will not auger well with the genuine and well-meaning donor countries who wish to see Zambia stand on its own two. This approach by our opposition does about as much harm as the equally tactless pronouncements by the ruling MMD government.

In summary, I will echo the observation that our country’s problems persist, because of the fruitless and misdirected political debate our politicians are all guilty of engaging themselves in. This donor debacle has testified that little to no difference exists between the MMD and major opposition. A contrasting difference between our political parties in government and in opposition is key to our nation’s progress on the political-economy front. It is a proven fact that an environment thriving with different and solid ideas breeds the progress we seek. As Zambians we must encourage not just politicians, but ourselves as responsible citizens to engage in productive debate. The best solutions come out of sensible debate, and indeed the very differences are quantified to a total sum; alternately where difference of ideas lacks, the progress summation equals zero.

Dr Chiluba said through his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba that some people have committed resources to trail and plant mobs to embarrass him.

“We are surprised by Press reports alleging that Dr Chiluba said in Chambishi “the late president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa turned courts into playgrounds like Nkana Stadium in the eight years of his (Mr Mwanawasa) presidency.

“We chose to ignore these false reports fearing that our rebuttal would dignify this lie. However, we are alarmed that this fabrication is now a basis for comments and reactions from politicians such as Mr Sata,” he said.

Mr Mwamba said it was surprising that reactions and opinions are now being formed on a statement that was never made.

“We, therefore, urge opportunistic commentators such as Patriotic Front leader Mr Michael Sata and the so-called Dr Cosmo Mumba to seek clarification and the truth before making wild statements and demands,” he said.
[pullquote]“We are surprised by Press reports alleging that Dr Chiluba said in Chambishi “the late president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa turned courts into playgrounds like Nkana Stadium in the eight years of his (Mr Mwanawasa) presidency.

“We chose to ignore these false reports fearing that our rebuttal would dignify this lie. However, we are alarmed that this fabrication is now a basis for comments and reactions from politicians such as Mr Sata,” he said.[/pullquote]
The ploy by some people to block him from moving freely was a hindrance on his fundamental human rights.

“This is now interfering with his fundamental freedom of movement, of expression and other rights. We wish to advise that the planned activities against Dr Chiluba are becoming criminal and the police should not hesitate to pursue the perpetrators,” Mr Mwamba said.

Meanwhile, Dr Chiluba has described as strange the desperate panic by Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata and some sections of the media over his activities.

Mr Mwamba said while the former president was in retirement, it did not exclude him from attending to petitions from members of the communities who seek his intervention.
[ Times of Zambia ]

The Zambian Government has repaid the K13 billion donor funds that were allegedly misappropriated last year by some Ministry of Health officials.

Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao said the Zambian Government was committed to paying back the donor funds, and assured that the balance of K16 billion from the K29 billion would also be paid back.

Speaking in Lusaka yesterday during a media breakfast on the update of the recent Zambian delegation’s visit to Geneva Switzerland, Mr Simbao said the alleged misappropriation of funds at the ministry last year was embarrassing for the Zambian Government.

Mr Simbao pledged Government’s commitment to the proper utilisation of donor funds in the country’s health sector.

“We are fully committed to utilising donor funds for their intended purposes, I must admit that what happened at the Ministry of Health last year was an embarrassment for all off us.

“What our people did, and I insist on our people, because its not the Government who stole the money, is very embarrassing,” he said.

Mr Simbao said the ministry would not spend any funds on workshops and seminars in 2011.
[pullquote]“We are fully committed to utilising donor funds for their intended purposes, I must admit that what happened at the Ministry of Health last year was an embarrassment for all off us.

“What our people did, and I insist on our people, because its not the Government who stole the money, is very embarrassing,” he said. [/pullquote]

All workshops and seminars would instead be funded by donors and other partners.

“We have realised that there are some people who have been travelling all year round, leaving work piling in their offices because of seminars,” he said.

While in Geneva, Mr Simbao held discussions with officials from the United Nations HIV/Aids agency (UNAIDS) who assured him that the UN was interested in seeing Zambia’s image restored, and being able to access funding normally.

He reassured the donors that all money spent by his ministry would from now on be with the approval of only the permanent secretary.

The funds would now be subjected to both internal and external audits.

The Swedish government had insisted on all its funds to the government, being approved only by the permanent secretary (PS), and that no one acting in that position should approve spending of these funds.

Because of the stringent demands by the donors, the Health permanent secretary had been unable to travel outside the country.

As a result, the PS was not even able to attend the recently held World health Assembly meeting.

This measure had been taken to ensure the PS was always available to approve spending of donor funds.

Mr Simbao said all wrong doers in the Ministry of Health would be subjected to the due process of the law.

The ministry was anxious about the outcome of the courts ruling on the alleged misappropriation of donor funds by the Ministry of Health last year.

The ministry had also suffered the loss of manpower through the suspension of 35 officers, allegedly connected to the scam.

“Whatever the courts decide will be good for us, we will be able to know whether to restore our suspended officers, or make replacements, so we are waiting for the courts to decide, as the absence of 35 members of staff has stressed our operations,” he said.

World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Olusegun Babaniyi said the UN had appreciated that the Zambian Government had shown it was not supporting the misuse of donor funds.

Dr Babaniyi pledged the continued support by the UN to help Zambia get back to its previous position with regard to donor funding.

And Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) for Global Fund chairperson Mwingache Siamwiza said the CCM had decided to appoint the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the principle recipient of global funds meant for the health sector.

The CCM had suspended the Ministry of Health from being the principle recipient of the funds and the UNDP would now receive and disburse all global funds to the ministry.

“Global Fund had made the decision not to disburse the funds for round four, because the Ministry of Health had not met the required conditionality at the time, but following the minister’s visit to Geneva, the ministry would have access to US$8 million,” he said.
Times of Zambia ]