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Rupiah is not proud to be a Zambian, says Sata

Rupiah is not proud to be a Zambian, says Sata
Written by Patson Chilemba and Chibaula Silwamba
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 4:44:18 PM

RUPIAH Banda is not proud to be a Zambian, Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata (left) said yesterday. Commenting on President Banda's statement that he is proud to have been born in Zimbabwe, Sata said he had never heard President Banda say he was proud to be a Zambian.

He said President Banda had been to several parts of the country, including Eastern Province where he hails from, but he had never mentioned his patriotism for Zambia.

Sata said the only thing President Banda mentioned when he was in Eastern Province was to ask people to chase away presidential candidates who did not hail from that region.

He said it appeared President Banda's mind was still consumed into Zimbabwe such that he would fail to make any meaningful change in Zambia.

"Emulomo mwakwata abena Zambia [that's the problem Zambians have], you go and import someone from Zimbabwe to be President. He's very honest. Rupiah Bwezani Banda doesn't hide to say you have imported someone from Zimbabwe to lead you," Sata said.

"I think even Mr Mpezeni who promoted mpuno ukhulu [big nose] might be regretting. It's telling us that we must be careful and should learn. I'm also proud of being born in Mpika, Chitulika village. He is not proud being a Zambian."

Last Friday, President Banda, who was addressing a crowd in Zimbabwe that gathered at Sabiwa Primary School, said he was happy to be back "home" and promised that he would return to Gwanda to stay a little bit longer when he leaves the presidency.

On President Banda's statement that the concept of mobile hospitals was a "damn good idea" and revelations by sources in the donor community that the President and his Chinese friends were determined to go ahead with the deal and that money had already exchanged hands, Sata said President Banda would do anything to push the deal because there was quick and hefty money involved.

He said people should pressurise President Banda not to go ahead with the deal, saying it would only benefit him and his children.

"And those same mobile hospitals they are talking about, they have no toilets, no water. Who is going to be helping patients? Him he's not concerned, all he wants is quick money in his pockets," said Sata.

On Saturday, President Banda said the concept of mobile hospitals was a "damn good idea".

Answering questions from journalists upon arrival from Zimbabwe, President Banda said the proposal on mobile hospitals came from the Chinese.

But according to a letter dated April 28, 2009 and addressed to Department for International Development (DFID) head Joy Hutcheon, Dr Mtonga stated that President Banda indicated during the official opening of the National Assembly that the government would procure mobile clinics from a friendly country to complement efforts to construct 15 hospitals in the 19 districts that did not currently have any.

However, according to sources within the donor community, the Zambian government is in the process of acquiring a US$53 million loan from EX-IM Bank of China to facilitate the acquisition of the mobile hospitals from a Chinese firm called China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).

The source disclosed that donors held meetings last week in Lusaka to discuss this pending transaction between the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Zambian government, and CATIC concerning the mobile hospitals.

The donors later cancelled the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for support to the health ministry pending a satisfactory explanation on the matter.

Meanwhile, Oxfam has charged that the Ministry of Health undertook the US$ 53 million deal behind the scenes without engaging the cooperating partners [international donors] and the civil society health forum that are party to the International Health Partnership (IHP+)

The three civil society organisations - Oxfam, Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) and TALC - were supposed to be signatories to the IHP+ MoU with the international donors and the Ministry of Health.

Speaking on behalf of the three civil society organisations, Oxfam (Zambia) essential services coordinator, Henry Malumo demanded that the Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao issues a comprehensive statement, not only to the parties involved, but all Zambians within a few days to explain what has transpired.

"This deal [US $ 53 million] was undertaken behind the scene. We commend the cooperating partners and The Post for highlighting this issue," Malumo said last Friday. "Under the civil society health forum, Oxfam, CHAZ and TALC are supposed to be signatories to the partnership we were supposed to have signed today [Friday]. The partnership is called IHP+, International Health Partnership and the purpose of this partnership is to increase accountability by government, cooperating partners and the civil society."

Malumo said the Ministry of Health's decision to purchase mobile hospitals was a complete violation of the principles of the partnership that required that a consultative process through the various technical groups should have been undertaken to discuss the matter.

Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, SATA, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 3:40 PM