Maravi

MMD shouldn’t hold meetings at State House, says HH

MMD shouldn’t hold meetings at State House, says HH
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 9:13:44 AM

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has charged that the MMD national executive committee (NEC) should not hold its meetings at State House. Commenting on MMD's announcement that the party will hold its NEC meeting this Saturday at State House
to elect the party's acting president, Hichilema yesterday said the MMD should not continue abusing public resources by holding its meetings at State House.

"We must separate the party from government functions. I think it goes without saying that that is where you see public funds being used on party affairs," Hichilema said.

"When they [MMD NEC members] go to State House they are given teas, coffees, foods and other things. Those things are bought using taxpayers' money, they are public resources. We don't want that to happen. We can't allow party affairs to be paid for using taxpayers' money."

He said the MMD like any other political party should foot its bills and not use public funds or public buildings for free.

"Can UPND be allowed to have a meeting in government ministries? No! So why should the MMD be allowed? That is wrong," Hichilema said.

He said the MMD government had showed that it lacked skills to prudently manage public resources.

"The MMD has been doing that for a long time. They should stop," said Hichilema. "When UNIP was doing that it was during the one party state, there was one party but now we are in a democracy."

The MMD announced on Sunday that it will hold its NEC meeting on February 7 at State House in Lusaka

Labels: CORRUPTION, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, MMD, STATE HOUSE

posted by MrK @ 9:14 AM