Maravi

Munkombwe pledges to work with opposition

Munkombwe pledges to work with opposition
By Charles Mangwato in Choma
Sunday March 02, 2008 [03:00]

SOUTHERN Province minister Daniel Munkombwe has said he will embrace everybody in the province in pushing for development, regardless of political affiliation. And Munkombwe has thanked President Mwanawasa for appointing him to be minister in a province whose members of parliament are all from the opposition.

Speaking in Choma on Friday at a public meeting at Sibanyati resettlement scheme addressed by Vice-President Rupiah Banda, Munkombwe said he was not bothered by the fact that members of parliament in the province were all from the opposition.
He said even though the province was dominated by the opposition, he would work with them to take the much-needed development to the people.

"The opposition does not bother me. I am ready to work with them as long as they do not denounce my government. I have gone through the mille in my 55 years of politics," said Munkombwe.

He said he would work with everybody to raise standards of living of the people in the province.
Munkombwe said poverty and development had no political face and that it was important for the people in the province to work together to bring about development.

Munkombwe said a province suffocated by the opposition needed a man of his calibre to change things.
He said he would use his experience to manage affairs of the province.

And Vice-President Banda told the people that Munkombwe was mature in politics.
"We are expecting a lot from you as you lead the province,” said Vice-President Banda.
Vice-President Banda also expressed gratitude to Choma UPND member of parliament George Chazangwe for travelling to the constituency to welcome him inspite of him belonging to the opposition.

"This is good politics. As leaders of the people, we should be seen to be working together," he said.

He also assured the settlers at Sibanyati resettlement scheme that government would attend to their problems regarding water, health and education infrastructure.

And he directed Choma district commissioner Mungoni Simulilika to request the Disaster management and mitigation unit (DMMU) to help address complaints of food deficit raised by the settlers.
Speaking earlier, chairperson for the settlers, Joel Sichilembe, requested for government assistance to expand and provide suitable facilities at Sibanyati.

Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, OPPOSITION, SOUTHERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 8:53 AM