Mulongoti denounces govt critics

Mulongoti denounces govt critics
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Friday, December 26, 2008 11:48:03 AM

WORKS and supply minister Mike Mulongoti on Tuesday denounced those accusing the government of mishandling the current economic crisis, saying the problems are too complex to be understood by someone with grade four education.

And Mulongoti jokingly said he was having difficulties to adapt in the new ministry as he was used to the ministry of defending government policies.

Meanwhile, National Construction Council (NCC) board chairperson Dr Francis Ndilila said the current economic problems in the country require more positive statements than creating an impression that Zambia is a total disaster.

Officiating at the NCC end of the year cocktail, Mulongoti observed that most of the people accusing the government of failing to handle the current economic crisis in the country were those with less understanding of economic issues than people in the current regime.

Mulongoti said although the ruling party made a lot of promises for developing the country, no time frame had been given but that the government would deliver within a reasonable period.

He accused people criticising the government for the current economic malaise of being indecent.

“So, we are hearing a lot of our competitors accusing us that we have not delivered. Surely, in 60 days, how many bridges can you build? How many houses can you construct? We are being accused about the difficulties the world economy is having. I even find people with grade four education saying they have got solutions to the problem of the economy,” Mulongoti said.

He described the continued declining fortunes for the ruling party in urban areas as victim of their own success.

“I personally want to take this opportunity to say that the fact that we don’t pass judgment on their capacities and abilities does not mean we don’t know where they are coming from. We are just being decent and we know they are being indecent. This country can’t be built by us alone,” Mulongoti said.

He said the ruling party was determined to fulfill its social contracts and the “reasonable” commitment it made to the people of Zambia.

And Mulongoti said although he was having difficulties settling in the new ministry, he was getting a lot of help from the people at the ministry and in the industry.

“I am coming from a ministry where we talked in defence of government and sometimes when I am asked a question, I am forgetting whether I should answer defending the government or answer as a person to deliver on behalf of the government…and when journalists come to me and questions about the bridges or contractors, I sometimes ask them, go and ask the Minister of Works and Supply and then I realise I am the minister,” said Mulongoti. “So you can see my difficulties but I found very supportive people in the ministry and in the industry.”

And Dr Ndilila said not all hope was lost for the local economy despite the current economic challenges.

“We should not preach doom’s day. In every dark cloud, there is a silver lining and that is what we should be concentrating on,” said Dr Ndilila.