Maravi

Letters - Land, Ministers

Land allocation
By Curious Zambian
Wednesday February 27, 2008 [03:00]

About a month ago, the Commissioner of Lands issued several land 're-entry' notices in the press. I hear that this is because the owners of such pieces of land failed to develop them within the period stipulated by the law. I would like to find out from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands why he is afraid of re-entering the "semi-commercial" (too big to be in a residential area) plot opposite the Presidential Gate on Parliament Road.

The plot was acquired by DAR Farms (maybe, the PS fears the owner) between - 1999 and 2000 and there has been no development, except for the wall perimeter.

Unless there is a good reason, this is one classic example of the government giving undue advantage to rich foreigners. Ministers should not enforce the law on poor Zambians only. The law ought to be blind although often it surely is not.


http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=38222

Ministers of agriculture
By Eustace Chamulonde,Luanshya
Wednesday February 27, 2008 [03:00]

The editorial in the Saturday Post of February 23, 2008 was right and spot-on for calling for the resignation of Ben Kapita from his position as Minister of Agriculture in the current Cabinet. Much as I empathise with Kapita for the situation he has found himself in, I feel his recovery would be quicker if he pulled out of public life and started recuperating in private life.

One other important point the President missed in letting Kapita continue is the fact that in the real world, people are relieved of their duties once their health starts failing just like in Kapita’s case. Even the argument that he is being given sufficient time to see whether he will recover will only become humane and rational if he is relieved of his duties. Only when he is well, can he be charged with the responsibilities of running a ministry again.

The way things have been done is as though Kapita is indispensable, yet Zambia is endowed with a large pool of trained and resourceful personnel.
If the President truly loves Kapita, he should be frank and tell him that he needs privacy and a lot of rest if he has to recover from his affliction and not the strenuous life of being in the public domain.
Why can't the President exercise the same reasoning he applied with Mundia Sikatana?

Further, I feel we need men and women who can discharge their duties with minimum hindrance (from a health point of view) given the huge task of developing this country, which is lagging behind amidst vast but mismanaged potential.

Lastly, I commend The Post for confronting head-on the anomaly on the part of the President. Truly, you are a leading newspaper going by the courage with which you approach real issues. Keep it up.

Labels: LAND REFORM, MINISTERS

posted by MrK @ 5:57 AM