Maravi

Teta threatens to deal with PF councillors in Lusaka

Teta threatens to deal with PF councillors in Lusaka
Written by Lambwe Kachali and Masuzyo Chakwe
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:02:50 PM

LOCAL government minister Benny Tetamashimba yesterday threatened to deal with Patriotic Front (PF) councillors in Lusaka for refusing to approve the budget as directed before holding the mayoral elections. However, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda has challenged Tetamashimba to go ahead and deal with the PF councillors.

Reacting to the councillors' refusal to approve the Lusaka City Council 2009 budget, insisting that they reconvene today to hold mayoral election before the budget could be approved, Tetamashimba accused PF president Michael Sata of interfering in the council's affairs.

He alleged that before councillors held the meeting in the council chamber, Sata had a private meeting with some PF councillors where Lubinda was instructed not to allow councillors to go ahead with the council meeting.

"The Lusaka City Council met yesterday [Monday], and they decided that instead of it being a council meeting to discuss the issues of the budget and I think they had a budget of about K154 billion, which amount is very big. And I think that K154 billion is to the benefit of the people of Lusaka. But these councillors in their selfish interest instituted by Mr. Sata decided not to go ahead. Actually Mr Sata had two meetings before that meeting, in which Lubinda was instructed to go and say that they are not going to have that meeting," he said.

Tetamashimba said he would not allow people of Lusaka to be denied the money that was supposed to be used to address cholera, clean up drainages among other problems affecting the town.

"Now it's up to the Zambian people whether this council, the councillors have a right to deny K154 billion to be approved to look into issues of cholera, drainage and so on. That is up to the Zambian people to tell us what is correct...whether it is good for them not to approve a budget or make the people of Lusaka have no drainage system, have cholera and everything. That...I leave it to them. But I want to tell you that where I am supposed to defend the rights of the people by having a budget and not having a monotonous council, I am supposed to make a decision, and that decision wait for it next week," Tetamashimba threatened.

But Lubinda said Tetamashimba was free to do whatever he wanted.

"We in PF cannot stop Tetamashimba from behaving the way he chooses to behave. He is the custodian of his own morality and no one can stop him from doing what he wants to do. If he feels he wants to deal with councillors, whatever that means, is the best way to relate to councillors, so be it. He is the only local government and housing minister in Zambia," Lubinda said. "We councillors will be waiting for him to deal with us. We shall protect ourselves from being abused by anyone. We will not agree to be used to break the law. We, as councillors of PF abide by lawful instructions. Let him deal with us. We are ready for him."

And Lubinda said they had not received any notice from the council whether councillors should reconvene today after the 48 hours elapsed.

Meanwhile, Tetamashimba said Manda Hill developers would go ahead with its extension programme.

He said the matter had been addressed with the LCC and that the developer had agreed to make adjustments as proposed by the council.

"Now the businessmen [Manda Hill developers] wanted to put up a parking space in front which was going to cover the beauty of the buildings. So we said ‘no’! That should not be done in front because it will destroy the beauty of the buildings which are there. So they are going ahead and they have agreed with those adjustments. So there is no problem. What we have done is to allow them to make an exit from the back so that traffic flows both in front and at the back," said Tetamashimba. "What I am telling you is the decision that we have all agreed [with LCC.] It's a matter which is concluded."

And speaking to journalists before departure to Kasama on a four day working visit, President Rupiah Banda urged Zambians to be vigilant and not allow people to smuggle maize and mealie-meal to neighbouring countries now that the price of the staple food had been reduced.

Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, BUDGET, LCC, PF

posted by MrK @ 3:03 PM