Use of public funds during campaigns is criminal – HH

Use of public funds during campaigns is criminal – HH
Written by Staff Reporter
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:33:48 PM

THE MMD is using public funds to advance its political campaigns in Chitambo ahead of the August 13 by-election, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has charged.

Speaking to journalists in Mumbwa last Saturday, Hichilema said it was criminal for the ruling party to continue to use public resources thereby gaining undue advantage over other candidates participating in the by-election.

"The play field is not levelled like this; the MMD should stop forthwith abusing public funds. We want the Chitambo elections to be free and fair so that people can truly choose a correct person. What the MMD is doing is to impose a candidate through the abuse of public resources," he said.

Hichilema said no amount of desperate moves by the MMD would derail the change that was coming through the PF-UPND pact.

Hichilema said Zambians had suffered enough at the hands of the MMD and wanted a credible government that shall be formed through the pact.

"The Chitambo by-election should begin to entrench steps towards change which we shall soon provide. I am confident that the pact candidate will emerge victorious in the elections," he said.

Hichilema bemoaned the poverty levels that continued to haunt the Zambian people throughout the nation.

He said that the MMD had killed vital sectors such as education and agriculture.

"The agricultural marketing policy is bad and the government should try its best to align it. It is shameful that when farmers have grown more maize, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) should say it would only buy a targeted amount of this crop," he said.

Hichilema said that only the PF-UPND government would be able to realign social sectors accordingly and be able to enhance Zambia's economy.

"People of Mumbwa district have produced more maize but the government has failed to find a market for these peasant farmers; we need to change this scenario for the better, even the state of roads in this area are terrible and should be done by the state," he said.

Hichilema hailed the royal establishment of senior chief Shakumbila for preserving cultural heritage through the Ikubi Lya Loongo traditional ceremony of the Sala people of Mumbwa district.

"Culture must find space within its structures and it should be used as a platform to enhance education on HIV/AIDS as well as other ailments. For us help in the fight against HIV/AIDS we need to grow more food with nutrition values," he said. Hichilema said the government should work hard and provide basic necessities for people to live well in the country.

Central Province minister Ackimson Banda, agriculture minister Dr Brian Chituwo and Central Province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama, represented the government at the ceremony.