Maravi

Male politicians are petty, says Masebo

Male politicians are petty, says Masebo
By Mwala Kalaluka and Nomusa Michelo
Thursday March 15, 2007 [02:00]

LOCAL government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo on Tuesday accused male politicians of being very petty. Winding up debate on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for her ministry, Masebo said she wished the current Parliament had more women than men. She was reacting to concerns raised by some opposition parliamentarians who were accusing the government of having tolerated lawlessness in the local government system.

"This is because when women speak, they speak from their hearts," Masebo said. "The problem is that there is too much pettiness among our men leaders in this country." Some male parliamentarians, mostly from the left, led by Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili started heckling Masebo as soon as she made the statement. Kambwili was heard accusing Masebo of insulting the men.

However, Masebo cautioned fellow parliamentarians not to just waffle on things they did not understand but that they should first of all get to the root of the matter and issue statements that could be justified. "There is a tendency in this country for people to waffle on things they do not understand and mislead people," she said. Masebo said some of the leaders that were saying she was a thug should look at their faces before describing her as such. "When you compare their faces and mine, who looks like a thug," said Masebo, as she directed her eyes to the left side of the House. "If I see that you are cheap member of parliament, I will have no business with you."

She said the problem of unplanned settlements that had gained her condemnation from some politicians was not a new one. "We (politicians) have all played a role in the mistakes of the past," she said. Masebo, who issued a 24-hour ultimatum to all street vendors to vacate the streets, said she did not harbour any presidential ambitions.

Matero PF member of parliament Faustina Sinyangwe commended Masebo for the manner she has handled the issue of unplanned settlements. Earlier, Masebo said Zambia is challenged with the growth of informal settlements resulting from rapid population growth and urbanisation with 70 per cent of the population in urban areas living in informal settlements with inadequate infrastructure amenities. She said K7.7 billion has been allocated in the budget for the upgrading of some informal settlements.

Masebo said although the allocation was insufficient, the ministry intended to start the process of supplying basic social services especially for water sanitation and roads. Masebo also told Parliament that K1.2 billion has been allocated to facilitate the initial issuance of housing bonds. She said the special purpose vehicle board of trustees and its secretariat were already in place.

Masebo also said the government will this year implement the national housing programme in which local authorities have been asked to set aside land for construction of 100 housing units in each district. She also said her ministry had also requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to encourage Zambians living abroad and its diplomats to invest their savings in housing construction. Masebo said there was a housing deficit of 1.2 million housing units especially for low and medium cost housing. Meanwhile, Masebo caused a stir in Parliament when she entered the house dressed in a bright red Lozi traditional dress called Musisi.

Labels: SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 5:53 AM