Maravi

LETTERS

Unworkable alliances
By Hilary Mulenga Jr,
Tuesday July 31, 2007 [04:00]

I have always felt that there was something wrong with the UDA and that the alliance should not have existed at all. I was not and never have I been a supporter of the alliance. But when it was announced that some ‘major parties’ were uniting before the 2006 elections, I felt a sense of relief that finally, politicians had united for a common purpose.

Going by the squabbles that have been happening within the UDA after the 2006 elections, one wonders whether our politicians have reached that maturity to work together. It is very clear that UDA has been a demonstration of lack of principles on the part of our politicians. I am not saying that every man or woman in the UDA lacks principles but it suffices to say they have been a let down as far as our young democracy is concerned.

What is more disheartening has been the failure by the alliance to solve its own problems internally. Personally, I feel that every party or alliance or indeed any grouping is prone to conflicts and what matters is how those conflicts are handled. Failure to handle conflicts has itself been a clear testimony that the three political parties were never ready to work together. One wonders why the three parties of the alliance cannot sit together and dialogue the way forward.

The problems within UDA cannot be disputed as rising from the fact that some of its members have hidden selfish agendas. This is what has been demonstrated of our politicians even in other political parties. ‘Politics of the belly’ have had a larger share on our political scenario and this can be proved both in the ruling and opposition parties.

It is unarguable that these alliances are unworkable altogether. What we need is more time for our politicians to mature. Let us hold them responsible for confusing many of their supporters and for giving false hope to our limping democracy.





http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29676

Economic empowerment
By Concerned consumer
Tuesday July 31, 2007 [04:00]

When I read the article in The Post of July 25 about “Why the Zambian Sugar Market should be subjected to Import Competition”, I understood the real meaning of the rhetoric on citizen economic empowerment in Zambia.

The obvious meaning is that you find good documents and lectures on how Zambian citizens can be economically empowered while allowing foreign-owned multinational companies to exploit Zambian consumers on basic food items.

I want to call on authorities in the concerned ministries provide incentives to the local producers and manufacturers as to the multinationals, who are enjoying more concessions at the expense of poor consumers.

Small-scale manufacturing firms are deprived of incentives and support for survival from our government.

I really do not understand the meaning of regional economic integration arrangements such as SADC and COMESA when consumers in Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa can buy commodities such as sugar at half the price that I pay in Zambia.
Why are consumers in Zambia deprived of their basic right to choose essential goods at reasonable prices, whether domestically produced or imported? What I see here is a clear examples of undue protection granted by our authorities to many foreign-owned companies.

I would not wish to hear more lectures on citizen’s economic empowerment from our leaders until such as time when prices of basic commodities such as sugar are adjusted realistically so that poor people can afford to buy food and meet basic necessities, which is the best economic empowerment that one needs in Zambia.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29634

Defending overloading
By Gershom Jere
Monday July 30, 2007 [04:00]

I was shocked to read Sata's defence on the negative effects of overloading, when statistics show that the government spends billions of kwacha yearly to repair roads damaged due to overloading.

For an aspiring leader, it is very misleading for him to say that. How I wish he had just kept quiet on the issue, more especially that there is a relationship between him and the owner of the bus. People are able to read what makes him say that.

Sata should weigh the statements he makes to the public if he is to remain a credible public figure.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29635

High crime levels in Lusaka
By Faith Zimba Lusaka
Monday July 30, 2007 [04:00]

I would like to find out what the Inspector General of Police is doing about the escalating crime rate in Lusaka.

Every day one hears and sees criminals inflict violence and fear on the public on the streets and homes, with the end result usually being loss of life.

For instance, a man was the victim of a horrific axe attack recently in Misisi compound, and it seems these criminals are getting more vicious by the day and going scot-free. Why should we live in fear?

What happened to the police motto: "To Serve and Protect"?
Inspector General, please intensify police patrols in our neighbourhoods before any more lives are lost. I think it's time a solution was found in this urgent issue. We need to be and feel to safe in our homes.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29637

Mwanawasa’s successor
By Dr Daniel Maswahu Cambridge, UK
Monday July 30, 2007 [04:00]

I was horrified to read a letter in The Post of Friday July 20, 2007 in which someone named Brian made comments on Mwanawasa's successor. It was clear to me, reading between the lines that Brian, like many other Zambians is taking certain things for granted, accepting the abnormal as normal.

It was Lenin who declared that a lie told enough times becomes accepted as the truth. My version of the same is "Given enough time and exposure, the mask becomes the face".

The very alarming assumption that Brian makes is that the Zambian presidency is Mwanawasa’s to give to whosoever it pleases him to.
I would like the record to show that this is not the case.

As much as I appreciate the juvenile status of Zambian democracy, a tree must be named by the fruit it bears.

For Chiluba, Mwanawasa or any other Jelita or Mulenga to nominate the next Zambian presidency of their own choice is galactically far from fundamental democratic procedure and amounts to insulting the collective knowledge of the Zambian people and denying them a say in their very own future.

This nonsense of someone waking up at 3am and making telephone calls must stop immediately and I call upon those mandated to protect the interests of the Zambian people (and not just a few individuals) to rise to the offices we are renumerating them for. (specifically the Attorney General).

For someone to declare that there is a fight against corruption and still practice "3a.m. democracy" is shameful, meaningless and amounts to swallowing the one’s own vomit. Even children know which animal practices this disgusting act.

If we are not a democracy, let us be honest enough to say so and then when we are ranked 11th most corrupt nation in the world, it will come as no surprise.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29601

Auditing parastatals
By Jacob Tembo Ndola
Sunday July 29, 2007 [04:00]

The audit reports of commercialised parastatal companies should be commended.

The Auditor General and her team are doing a good job.

The situation which is obtaining in the mentioned organisations needs attention.
The bad culture of unaccountability should be stopped.

I would like to mention here that the external, less than 100 per cent, sample audit done by the statutory external auditors is inadequate to curb the skilful embezzlement of public resources.

The best audit approach for such companies is full 100 per cent audit based on value for money audit such as audit for efficiency, economy and effective utilisation of all resources.

The criticisms on the Auditor General are baseless and critics should know that the boards and management of the parastatals have powers to transform their companies to have a competitive edge.

No one should hide in the inefficiency of yester years.
The audit should also be extended to all local councils.
Viva Lufungulo




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29602

Power the nation Zesco
By Anastasia Sakala
Sunday July 29, 2007 [05:00]

I think Zesco has taken us for granted for long enough. We appreciate the fact they need to loadshed but is it going to take forever?

We have electrical items in our homes that cost us a lot of money like fridges that are not supposed to be switched on and off at random and are expensive to replace. Why can't they make a specific period for loadshedding instead of just switching off power at any time? We pay money for a service and not to be inconvenienced. Please Zesco "power the nation".

Labels: LETTERS

posted by MrK @ 3:57 AM