Banda begs for votes from Kasama marketers
Banda begs for votes from Kasama marketersBy Noel Sichalwe in Mungwi
Monday September 22, 2008 [04:00]
Vice-President Rupiah Banda on Saturday toured markets in Kasama and begged for votes from marketeers and traders. And Vice-President Banda said what he had achieved in life was as a result of hard work. Meanwhile, Vice-President Banda announced that the government had released about K16 billion for the construction of schools in Northern Province.
Vice-President Banda toured the Location market and Tazara market on arrival from Mungwi where he officiated at the Ukusefya Pang’wena traditional ceremony. While touring the market, Vice-President Banda attracted attention from various people that either wanted to chat with him, shake his hands, tell him their problems or merely wanted to catch a glimpse of him.
He talked to marketeers and traders who were willing to tell him their experiences and problems they faced in business.
While conducting the tour, Vice-President Banda encouraged marketeers to work hard and young people to be focused in life. He also introduced himself as the MMD presidential candidate.
"I am Rupiah Banda, an MMD candidate standing for president. I need your votes on October 30. Will you give me the votes?" he asked and the people responded with a loud 'yes'.
The market committee leaders explained how the construction of toilets has stalled at Location market which prompted him to ask provincial minister Lameck Chibombamilimo why the project had delayed.
In response, Chibombamilimo said the province still had money from Constituency Development Funds (CDF) that could be used on the project. Vice-President Banda urged Chibombamilimo to follow the matter up with the council.
And officiating at Ukusefya Pang’wena traditional ceremony of the Bemba people, Vice-President Banda said traditional ceremonies were important for the country as they tried to unify people. He said traditional ceremonies recorded the history of ancestors who travelled from the Luba-Lunda Empire to the present Zambia.
He said the majority of Zambians came from kingdoms that existed in the now Democratic Republic of Congo. He said everyone had come from a common heritage which Zambia should cherish.
Vice-President Banda said the MMD government continues to implement programmes that targeted the needs and aspirations of society. He said in the agricultural sector, the government had committed to reduce poverty levels through good agricultural policies.
He said the government would continue subsidising fertiliser inputs for small-scale farmers and expressed gratitude that the government had increased funding for the food support programme for the 2008/2009 farming season.
Vice-President Banda said Northern Province remained the leading producer of finger millet and beans and that this should inspire people to work even harder. He also said that the government was committed to changing Northern Province into an investment hub. He was happy that the provincial staff had since produced the first-ever investment brochure on the market.
Vice-President Banda further said the government had released K16 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of schools in the country. He said the government wanted to improve the conditions of service of teachers through the construction of houses and facilitating house loans with Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS).
Vice-President Banda said the government would further construct district hospitals in Mpulungu and Kaputa to improve the health service delivery. He said by the end of 2011, Mungwi and Chilubi districts would also have district hospitals.
He said the project meant to construct roads and bridges would continue and that there were more than 100 road projects running under the Road Development Agency (RDA).
Vice-President Banda said the government had also decided to construct the road between Kalungu and Mbesuma areas as per request. He also thanked chiefs for giving up part of their land to be used for developmental projects.
"This ceremony is a catalyst for unity and will help us focus on development of our people," he said. "We urge you to continue giving counsel to the political leadership so that we can continue to provide what people need."
And speaking through Ukusefya Pang’wena Organisation Committee chairperson Bwalya Chiti, paramount chief Chitimukulu remembered how late president Mwanawasa officiated at the ceremony last year and led the audience in observing a minute of silence in honour and remembrance of the late president.
Paramount chief Chitimukulu said the Bemba people were supportive of the government led by late president Mwanawasa.
"It is our wish to be supportive of a government led by you as our partner in development," he said.
He added that Northern Province was witnessing various developmental projects aimed at improving people's living standards. He said the government was also making efforts to construct schools in various areas but that as the largest province in Zambia, more needed to be done.
Chitimukulu said he was also aware of government plans to open large-scale mining in all the provinces in Zambia. He said Northern Province was awaiting such projects to improve the economic activities in the province. He called on the government to construct further infrastructure to boost the inflow of tourists.
Speaking earlier, Chibombamilimo said people appreciated the importance of traditional ceremonies as they helped in the promotion of tourism. He said despite the diversity of the political and ideological differences, people had continued to be united.
He said the MMD government had provided a conducive environment for the development of tourism through late president Mwanawasa.
He said despite the demise of president Mwanawasa, they would forge ahead to solve the country’s problems under the leadership of Vice-President Banda.
"We will respect each other's point of view and continue to work together," he said.
In a vote of thanks, chief Mukwikile urged the government to be consulting with traditional leaders when implementing developmental projects.
He said if the government would be implementing projects on their own, they would end up being white elephants since they would be of no use to the community.
He asked the government to stop dealing with briefcase businessmen that manipulated farmers in the sell of agricultural inputs and produce. He said the government should continue supporting tourism in the country and allow it to develop.
Chief Mukwikile said the construction of Kalungu-Mbesuma bridge meant that the government was meeting the needs of the people.
The ceremony was fairly attended and it was characterised by various traditional dances, songs and plays.
Among the chiefs that attend need were paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province, chief Puta of the Bwile people of Luapula Province and chief Ishindi of Northern Western Province, among others.
Labels: KASAMA, MARKETEERS, NORTHERN PROVINCE, RUPIAH BANDA
posted by MrK @ 5:03 PM
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