Chitambo residents threaten to back opposition

Chitambo residents threaten to back opposition
Written by Justin Katilungu in Serenje
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 1:41:27 AM

RESIDENTS of Chitambo constituency in Serenje District last Sunday threatened to vote for the opposition if the government fails to take television and radio reception to the area. The irate residents told information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha that the government had for a long time cheated them on taking television reception to their area.

This happened shortly after Vice-President George Kunda had addressed the residents and was heading to his motorcade to leave the area. The residents, who spoke in vernacular, said they did not want to miss proceedings of the 2010 World Cup showpiece in South Africa next year.

"We are tired of being told lies and this time around if you fail to fulfil your promises of bringing television reception to Chitambo, we shall vote for the opposition in the forthcoming by-election," the residents openly told Lt Gen Shikapwasha who was at pains to explain to them.

The Chitambo constituency fell vacant following the death of the incumbent MMD member of parliament Nassim Hamir who was also lands deputy minister.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha in his explanation assured the residents that the government would consider their concerns but pleaded with them to retain the MMD candidate for Chitambo constituency once elections were held.

"Are you not happy that you have a Vice-President who is Lala and hails from here?"

Lt Gen Shikapwasha asked the residents who responded "Twalitemwa nomba tulefwaya ZNBC na phone network kuno [we are happy but we want ZNBC reception and mobile phone network]."

Lt Gen Shikapwasha said on the issue of the mobile network, Zain Zambia had been to the area to assess the situation and assured that it would install a tower there. Lt Gen Shikapwasha promised to follow up the matter with the mobile company.

Earlier when he addressed another poorly attended rally, Vice-President Kunda assured the residents that the government was aware of the many challenges that the people of Chitambo faced including the lack of television reception.

He said he visited Chitambo constituency to mourn with the people on the death of Hamir who he described as a hard working and humble parliamentarian.

"Don't lose hope because we shall strive and find a good replacement to fit in the late Hamir's shoes, we are consulting with chiefs over this issue as well as the party leadership," Vice-President Kunda said.

Vice-President Kunda said it was important that the government assessed the situation in Chitambo constituency with a view to addressing the hardships that residents faced.