Maravi

LETTERS - Floods, Caleb Fundanga, Ndola City Council

National disaster
By Malcolm Chiyoba
Monday January 28, 2008 [03:00]

Floods in our nation may need to be declared a national disaster, not because they are, but because the government has no wisdom to offer an appropriate response-based logical preparedness. Having watched the extent of damage being inflicted by these floods in some houses in Kabwata, it is important for the government to put up good drainage systems. I have also seen floods in our villages, especially in Southern Province.

Last Friday, Magande presented the national budget and said the government allocated K90 billion to the office of the Vice President for managing disasters.

Let me propose that among other things like building houses, erecting tents and sending relief food to the affected places, we must utilise the flood waters by building dams so that the water can be used in the dry season, unless the meteorological department is predicting perenial rains(they often get it wrong maybe due to poor equipment and this is another area the government must improve).

The construction of dams must be accompanied by deliberate efforts to ensure that the facilities for irrigation are available to the affected people.

This flooding in almost every part of the country is surely enough for irrigation and can still be a better source of water for agricultural activities. I believe rains are a blessing.

The worst embarassment this nation will ever go through is a draught, withering crops and thirsty livestock next farming season.

Let the MMD government offer leadership on floods. Abash rhetoric, viva practicality!




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=36824

Fundanga
By Shipota

Monday January 28, 2008 [03:00]

I read with keen interest Dr Fundanga's published interview with your esteemed reporter and I was impressed with the way he articulated the fundamental economic issues affecting our country, and the world at large.

As a student abroad doing business studies, I had no option but to e-mail several of my colleagues the article which I felt addressed issues in a simple, but yet complex way.

This was a classic example of the old school putting things into practice.

Furthermore, the government should be congratulated for giving the management team at the Central Bank the autonomy of making the key decisions which have changed the way business is run in our country.

We need a strong kwacha considering the way strong currencies are currently struggling.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=36830

Interesting ministerial statements
By Ladislas Hibusu
Monday January 28, 2008 [03:00]

It’s interesting to listen to some ministers who claim to have priorities when they produce statements like: ‘Members of the public should subscribe to insurance because the fault was not caused by Zesco.

Zesco cannot compensate for a cause that it does not cause’ (The Post 24 January 2008).

These are words from minister of energy, Kenneth Konga when questioned on what Zesco will do to the people whose properties where damaged after the power cuts. Then whose fault is this?

Don’t people pay to Zesco so that they can receive a service? This is simple logic. If one boarded a bus going to Chipata and the bus gets involved in an accident, aren’t the passengers compensated?

Who is supposed to subscribe for insurance between the provider of the service and the seeker?

On the other hand, information minister, Mike Mulongoti, advised the Zambian people to watch the African Cup from bars or neighbours who subscribe to pay television channels.

Mike Mulongoti said sport was not government’s priority because it was not a matter of life and death, adding that the government could not be spending huge amounts of money to enable ZNBC air live soccer matches at the expense of flood victims.

When I first heard these words from the minister, they sounded true to my ears.

But alas, did you watch the demise of an old woman of Kanyama who died from the ‘Kanyama floods’ after a house she was living in collapsed?

Additionally, Magande, during the presentation of the 2008 budget to parliament, in his opening stanzas said:

“The MMD New Deal government has always been presenting good national budgets that have pushed the economy forward”.

He said a few years ago, it was foreseen that there would be a power deficit because of the government’s good economic policies that increase the demand for power.

I found these statements offensive and misplaced. I wonder if the government even has priorities as these reputable people assert.

Yes, Magande’s presentation of the budget has always been very good and the pronouncements have ever been good, but I find it difficult why they fail to implement them.

It remains to the Zambian people to continue being hoodwinked by these liars.


http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=36785

Ndola City Council
By Silent Kent
Sunday January 27, 2008 [03:00]

Am a resident of Ndola and hope to continue being one for some time to come.

I have noted with great concern the allocation of plots at the inter-town bus stop in the city opposite former Zamox. Apprently, the population in Ndola is increasing besides economic activities. Even parts of town that were not active are now coming up.

To my surprise, some part of the original plot for the bus stop has been occupied and fenced, further reducing space for buses.

May the Ndola City Council planning authorities be remainded that the population of both buses and poeple is increasing therefore, they should revisit the sale or lease of space intended for a public bus stop. To some extent these are some of the issues that arise when local authorities are doing everything from the issuing of plots to planning and scrutinising.

I propose the bus stop be worked on like Lusaka did to Intercity Bus Terminus. That way the local authority and the community shall benefit other than allocating plots to individauls who may have two or three buses. May the town clerk's office respond.

Labels: CALEB FUNDANGA, FLOODS, NDOLA CITY COUNCIL

posted by MrK @ 5:57 AM