Maravi

Levy's absence has exposed troublemakers in MMD - Rupiah

Levy's absence has exposed troublemakers in MMD - Rupiah
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Tuesday July 22, 2008 [04:00]

VICE-President Rupiah Banda yesterday said troublemakers in the MMD had been identified during the three weeks of President Levy Mwanawasa's absence. And Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe said President Mwanawasa's illness has caused a gap and misery in the country.

Speaking on arrival at the Livingstone International Airport where he was scheduled to officially open the Local Government Association annual general meeting, Vice-President Banda said being silent over the President's illness was not an indication that he had nothing to say.

Vice-President Banda said he had a lot of things to do especially that President Mwanawasa was out of the country.

"Our economic gains should not be eroded. We now know who the troublemakers are in just three weeks of the President's absence. Just like when you throw a hook into the river to catch a fish, the fish that opens its mouth gets hooked out while those that choose to close their mouths stay in. Some people think they are the ones who know how to talk. Those who are like you who talk too much are no longer there," he said.

Vice-President Banda said there was a lot that people could learn from elderly politicians like Munkombwe.

"People need to listen to him Munkombwe and learn from people of his experience. Members of our party should show that there are no differences. The fact that many of us have not said anything does not mean we have nothing to say. We have a lot to say. The President needs to find this country intact," he said.

Vice-President Banda said party officials should not rush to the press to express their views because all people had issues to raise.
"We don't rush to the press; we all have issues to raise. Government is working. Being quiet does not mean we are not working. When you hear your domestic worker singing, just know that she is not working but when there is silence, just know that the domestic worker is working," he said.

Vice-President Banda also assured people that the Zimba-Livingstone road would be worked on up to the Victoria Falls bridge.

"I'm pleased to inform you that the road from Zimba up to the Victoria Falls bridge will be fixed. We have enough funding to do the 30-kilometre stretch and during that time we shall be looking for more funding for the remaining 42 kilometres," he said.
On agriculture, Vice-President Banda said the government would continue to subsidise fertiliser by 60 per cent.

"We shall continue to subsidise fertiliser by 60 per cent, but we are also looking for funds to increase the subsidy but please don't hold it to that but we are working to that," he said.

Vice-President Banda praised chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya in Southern Province for his developmental initiatives and urged other people to learn from him.
"The country is very large and has many problems. I'm happy with chief Mukuni's educational, health and tourism initiatives. He is a big role model for all of us in the country. We need to copy from him," Vice-President Banda said.

And Munkombwe said his age and experience compels him to comment on the current political crisis within MMD.

"My age and experiences compels me to comment on the crisis in MMD. Just in three weeks of our President's absence, there has been wrangles. Instead of whispering to people of experience there has been a lot of babbling in the party. Can somebody stop this crisis," Munkombwe said.

Earlier, Southern Province MMD secretary Emmanuel Siamweela observed that there were no direct flights from Livingstone International Airport as most airlines just used it as a stop-over.

"Our city is now becoming a real city but our airport is just a lay-by for other regional airlines. Our cake is being shared by a lot," said Siamweela.

Labels: MMD, MWANAWASA, PARTIES, PRESIDENCY, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:39 AM