Maravi

Sata promises not to nationalise mines

Sata promises not to nationalise mines
Written by Patson Chilemba and Mulimbi Mulaliki in Solwezi
Saturday, October 25, 2008 10:19:30 PM

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata has charged that Vice-President Rupiah Banda is panicking and getting confused.

And Sata has promised not to nationalise the mining industry but enact laws to ensure that investors look after their workers well.

In an interview on Thursday, Sata said he had outsmarted people like MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba, ULP president Sakwiba Sikota and Dr Ludwig Sondashi who claimed that North-Western and Western provinces were no-go areas for him.

He said Tetamashimba, Sikota and Dr Sondashi were prophets of doom who were cheating Vice-President Banda that he was popular. Sata said he had proved his critics wrong because of the overwhelming support he received in places like North-Western and Western provinces, which MMD claimed were 'no-go areas'.

"He's [Vice-President Banda] always panicking because he told me that even Eastern Province is no-go area, so he's getting confused and he has been going backwards and forwards," Sata said.

"The problem is he wants to follow me. When I was in Northern Province, he followed me. We are teaching him politics. Now that he has heard what has happened in Western Province, he wants to go back there."

Sata said people's minds were already made up and Vice-President Banda's desperate last minute attempts would not help matters.

"Probably he's taking money for Mongu-Kalabo road," Sata said.

And addressing a campaign rally in Chavuma on Wednesday, Sata said he would not cut women's breasts as alleged by MMD and UPND. He further dispelled assertions that he would chase people from North-Western and Western provinces to Angola.

Sata said it was sad that instead of explaining their development achievements, MMD were busy manufacturing lies about him.

Sata charged that most members of parliament who came from North-Western Province were 'Judas Iscariots' who had betrayed the people to serve their pockets.

On the same issue, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said energy minister Kenneth Konga and Vice-President Banda had a lot in common because they both liked dozing when important national issues were being discussed.

"When Kenneth Konga is in Parliament, his duty is to sleep...how can he represent you?" asked Lubinda.

Lubinda said Dr Sondashi and Tetamashimba were accusing Sata of violence when they were the perpetrators of violence. He said Tetamashimba recently threatened the people of Eastern Province that they would be beaten if they did not vote for Vice-President Banda.

"So who is perpetrating violence between Sata and MMD?" asked Lubinda as people responded with a resounding, "MMD and Rupiah."

In Zambezi and Mwinilunga, Sata promised to revive the pineapple cannery in the area in order to create employment for the locals.

Sata asked Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo to postpone the intended refresher courses for police officers until after elections.

And addressing a massive rally in Solwezi on Thursday, Sata said he was glad that people did not beat him as Dr Sondashi had earlier threatened. He said the people of North-Western Province were not backwards as Tetamashimba had always claimed.

"When I was campaigning in Mufumbwe years back, we went to see a chief and I told him that if you don't bring good and honest leaders to represent North Western Province, this Province will remain backwards," Sata said. "We gave Ludwig Sondashi the ministry of works and supply but instead of developing roads, he started building his own lodges."

Sata said PF in government would develop hydro-power stations as opposed to the current system where most districts depended on diesel engines to generate electricity. He promised to turn Solwezi and Zambezi airports into international airports.

"And we shall search for diamond. If there is diamond in Angola and Congo, then there must be diamonds here," Sata said.

Sata said although he would not nationalise the mines, investors should respect Zambians by offering them decent conditions of service.

He said it was the people who created a peaceful environment for investors.

Sata said PF would provide attractive rural hardship allowances in order to attract most civil servants to work in rural areas.

Sata said PF, if elected to government, would tar the Mumbwa-Kasempa and Kasempa-Kaoma roads.

Sata also charged that UPND president Hakainde Hichilema was too inexperienced to be elected President.

Those who attended the Solwezi rally include former Mufumbwe MMD member of parliament Bert Mushala and former North Western deputy minister David Kambilombilo.

Labels: MINING, NATIONALISATION, SATA

posted by MrK @ 11:38 PM