Maravi

Govt non-servicing of debts

Govt non-servicing of debts
Written by Eustace Chamulonde
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:15:31 AM

That Lusaka Water and sewerage Company (LWSC) is owed a huge amount in bills by the government is very sad. I can safely say government institutions are not indebted only to LWSC but also other service providers such as Zesco and Zamtel to mention a few.

This uncalled for practice, by government institutions, of not servicing their debts is detrimental to the progress of this country and wellbeing of companies so owed.

It not only stifles the growth of these companies but also results in compromised service delivery to the public and private companies who are vigorously made to pay for the same services.

While the government is busy preaching and carrying out the liberalisation of the economy, it is busy killing the whole concept by not being responsible in discharging its debts to service providers. It should be noted by the President and his cabinet that this is a serious omission of how to run the affairs of this country. Each year, budgets are made and executed and it is immoral that funds as submitted and requested for by ministries and budgeted for to pay for services such as water, power and telephones are not accounted for or channelled to the right areas resulting in huge debts.

How does the same government expect the owed companies to perform or better their performance with a negative cash flow? As usually advocated, such government unpaid bills will only be appreciated and sympathised with when we see leaders foregoing certain privileges and equally give excuses for not paying bills.

However, the whole situation is just mired in immorality of the highest order due to the fact that money for image builders, campaigns, extravagant mourning and funerals, uncurtailed travelling, hosting of clans and friends for holidays and huge salary increments is readily available but not for services delivered to the government.

I have no doubt, the action of the government is what makes the services the public and private companies pay for to be expensive and of lesser quality. We are shouldered with carrying the government's bills and lethargic approach of poor paying culture while it is busy pampering itself with our hard-earned money from taxes. This is immorality at its worst point and should stir the cabinet to doing much better.

The government should be seen to walk the talk if it is to be taken seriuosly.


http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/3765/64/

Agric potential of Luapula
Written by Chantry Mweemba, Mansa
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:17:43 AM

Having worked with communities in Southern Province for some time now in the area of community development, l can confidently conclude that more needs to be done in developing the farming sector in Luapula Province.

In Southern, Eastern and Central provinces, farming is doing relatively well. It seems most government support in these areas is concentrated in this sector.

It’s only in Luapula where small-scale farmers will laugh at you when you talk about producing maize free of fertiliser.

Here, farmers have very little knowlege about the Veterinary Department. Why are extension services poor in an area where farmers deserve it the most?

Look at the pastures and the water bodies that are readily available in the province. Time to enhance Luapula Province's agriculture sector is now.

The province has the potential to feed the country but this can only be achieved if investment in its agriculture sector is encouraged.


http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/3830/64/

CEEC, Rupiah
Written by Sylvia
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:18:14 AM

I would like to express my disappointment in the way the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is handling their operations.

During campaign period, President Rupiah Banda told the nation that he had released K90 billion to empower Zambians in their various projects.

To date, no single province has received this money, not even CEEC headquarters at Longacres offices. The people working there also know that the funds have not been released and there is no money in their coffers.

None of the proposals that were approved in November have been funded. It’s surprising to see the chairman of CEEC come on TV and say they are disappointed with the few application letters they have received from individuals when they can not fund any projects.

The President must know that CEEC employees are chewing taxpayers’ money and, therefore, must function.

Where is the K90 billion he claimed had been given to CEEC? Let’s learn from the way Black Economic Empowerment is functioning in South Africa and Swaziland. What’s wrong with our leadership? President Banda must know that we are watching him in a lot of ways.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, CEEC, DOMESTIC DEBT, LUAPULA PROVINCE, LWSC, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 10:14 AM