Maravi

Levy's remark about people of Luapula was a joke - Mbulakulima

Levy's remark about people of Luapula was a joke - Mbulakulima
By Amos Malupenga
Thursday May 29, 2008 [04:00]

Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima yesterday clarified that President Mwanawasa merely cracked a joke with the people of Luapula when he said they are too lazy to utilise the abundant water in the province for irrigation. Commenting on last week’s Post story which quoted President Mwanawasa as telling the people of Luapula that they were too lazy to utilise the water for irrigation in the province, Mbulakulima said it was sad and regrettable that President Mwanawasa’s statement was misunderstood.

“I have seen that some MPs from Luapula are reacting to that statement and clearly they are not happy,” Mbulakulima, who is also Chembe member of parliament, said. “I don’t blame them because I would react the same way if I was not there when the President spoke.

But I was there, and everyone who was there would not agree with you that the President was rebuking or lecturing to the people of Luapula on that matter. He merely cracked a joke, which he said he once cracked when he was campaigning in 2006. So it was just a repeat of that joke.

“But it looks like you were looking for something negative to write about because there was so much love, joy and euphoria when the President addressed the people in Mansa. That misunderstanding of the President’s joke can take away or dilute the love that exists between President Mwanawasa and the people of Luapula. And I know that those who always want to attack the President might want to use this to say he is against the people of Luapula.

Far from it, you should have been there to see how everyone was happy at the President’s presence in the area. The atmosphere was fantastic and friendly. That’s why the President ended up cracking jokes with his people.”

Labels: LUAPULA PROVINCE, MWANAWASA, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA

posted by MrK @ 4:24 AM