Maravi

Shakafuswa calls for revival of MMD

Shakafuswa calls for revival of MMD
By Patson Chilemba
Monday August 27, 2007 [04:00]

THE MMD as it currently stands is more or less dead and it needs to be revived, Katuba member of parliament Jonas Shakafuswa has said. And MMD Chisamba member of parliament Moses Muteteka has said that he considers himself suitable for the position of MMD deputy national secretary because he believes that the party's national secretariat needs restructuring.

Confirming his ambition to assume the ruling party's deputy national secretary position, Shakafuswa said the MMD was not moving at the pace it was supposed to be moving.

Shakafuswa said he had the vision to move the MMD at the pace it ought to be moving.
"If you look at the party now, it's more or less dead and it needs to be revived. It's not moving at the pace it is supposed to be moving. If the party was not dead, we can't be losing to the PF," Shakafuswa said.

"There is a gap between President Mwanawasa and the people because if they are being told what the government is doing, they will be told good things."

Shakafuswa said the party had lost contact with the grassroots.
"I am interested in the position because I have to serve the party," he said.

Shakafuswa said he had what it took to restore the fortunes of the ruling party, especially in urban centres such as Lusaka.

"Definitely, what qualifications haven't I got? I'm visionary and I can influence. I heard people talking about the issue of experience. I'm running the Ministry of Finance so if I can manage this big ministry why should I fail to serve as deputy national secretary?" Shakafuswa asked.

He warned that wrongdoers such as those who were in the business of allocating illegal plots would not have it easy.

"Some people wouldn't be happy because there will be nothing like cadres allocating plots and the party will be on the foot for the future. We don't want to have cadres who are criminally minded. I know those getting money in bus stations from the people but they won't have it easy," said Shakafuswa.

And Muteteka said the party national secretariat needed restructuring.
He said he had the capacity to contribute to the well-being of the party.
Muteteka said the MMD needed people who were passionate and morally upright to run the party's secretariat.

"To be very honest with the people, we need to rebuild or restructure the MMD secretariat but this position is not open for campaigns. If the opportunity arises, I have the capacity to handle and I have a lot of issues to contribute.

We need people who have the passion, who can coordinate the youths and women and people who are morally upright. That is why I said I'm one of those for the position of that office," said Muteteka.

And when contacted for comment if she had ambitions of becoming deputy national secretary, former science and technology minister Judith Kapijimpanga said that was news to her.

However, Kapijimpanga said she was always available to serve the nation.
The position of deputy national secretary will become vacant after the departure of the current holder of the position Major Richard Kachingwe who is going to Nigeria as deputy High Commissioner.

MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba said President Mwanawasa would soon nominate someone for the position.

Labels: JONAS SHAKAFUSWA

posted by MrK @ 4:53 AM