Maravi

Rupiah admits being forgetful

Rupiah admits being forgetful
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Mungwi
Friday, January 09, 2009 5:24:36 AM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has admitted being forgetful, saying “that is what happens when you have an old man as President.”And President Banda has told ministers and other senior government officials to quickly help chiefs whenever the traditional rulers were stranded.

Meanwhile, President Banda thanked Paramount chief Chitimukulu, other chiefs in Northern Province and their subjects for their support to him during the presidential election, which he described as a closely-fought election.

During his meeting with chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people of Northern Province at his palace in Malole on Wednesday, President Banda forgot the name of his presidential affairs minister Gabriel Namulambe whom he introduced as Daniel but quickly changed when he was given the correct name by works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti, Office of the Vice-President deputy minister Gaston Sichilima and other ministers.

President Banda was touching his head trying to remember his minister's name.

"The minister for presidential affairs Daniel... [interrupted by ministers reminding]. That is what happens when you have an old man as President," President Banda remarked and rectified: "Gabriel Namulambe, niba minister bandi ku State House. He is our member of parliament for Mpongwe."

President Banda said Northern Province was a very important part of Zambia, hence he was very proud that his first visit after the elections had been to this province to share ideas with the people on how to move forward the development of Zambia.

"This is our first visit after the elections to say thank you to the people of Northern Province, especially you their leaders for the support which you gave us. It was because of the votes which we got from your place and all other places that we were able to win," President Banda said. "It was a very closely fought election and no one who did not get the support from everyone in the whole country could have won. That is why we won. Take the votes from Northern Province you add them to the votes of all the other provinces, you find that that is why we were able to overpower our opponents."

He said it was good that he and his delegation visited this rural area during the rainy season so that they could see for themselves the difficulties that people experience daily during the rainy season.

President Mwanawasa said he prayed for chief Chitimukulu's quick recovery.

"We continue to pray that your recovery should be complete," he said. "All of us really need you. You should be strong to help us move forward the development in our country."

President Banda also expressed gratitude to local government and housing minister Benny Tetamashimba after chief Chitimukulu told him that Tetamashimba had availed transport for him to travel from Lusaka to his palace on his return from South Africa, where the government had taken him for medical treatment.

"That is how it should be. When our Royal Highnesses are stranded, each one of us must quickly try to give help so that they don't get stranded," President Banda said.

And chief Chitimukulu, on behalf of his subjects and Bemba chiefs, thanked the government for financing his treatment in South Africa.

"Thank you for taking me to South Africa for treatment. I came back, I am well, but I have to go back in March for reviews. I and my subjects are very grateful to you," said chief Chitimukulu in his Bemba dialect. "We should work together to look after this country."

President Banda, together with his ministers, held a meeting for about one hour with chief Chitimukulu. Thereafter, President Banda and chief Chitimukulu had a one-to-one meeting for over 30 minutes.

Later, President Banda inspected Kalungu Bridge, which is being constructed just about 100 metres from chief Chitimukulu's palace.

As he was inspecting the bridge, President Banda told the constructors that he did not want a poor quality bridge that would be washed away by the water.

He hoped that people would not vandalise the bridge. After inspecting the bridge, President Banda told journalists that the bridge would spur economic development in the area.

"The bridge gives security...it improves economic development and makes the people more productive," President Banda said. "Now people will grow more cabbages because they know they will take them to Kasama within a short time."

President Banda said the engineer on site told him that the lifespan of the bridge would be 100 years.

Labels: CHIEF CHITIMUKULU, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:25 AM