Maravi

Sky FM callers denounce Shikapwasha

Sky FM callers denounce Shikapwasha
Written by Agness Changala
Thursday, October 15, 2009 6:31:02 PM

REGULAR callers to Sky FM Radio have observed that information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha’s contribution to the country is negative because he has reached a point of diminishing returns.

Reacting to Lt Gen Shikapwasha’s remarks that callers to Sky FM Radio were sponsored by The Post to discredit President Rupiah Banda, one of the callers, Mark Siajunza, said it was clear that Lt Gen Shikapwasha did not know what Zambians expected of his ministry.

“It is our considered view that he has reached a point of diminishing returns, his contribution is in negative and he qualifies to be called a fake reverend because of his level of deceit,” he said.

“It is in this respect that we appeal to President Rupiah Banda without wasting time to immediately fire him because he is also a loss to Zambia.”

Siajunza said President Banda should replace Lt Gen Shikapwasha with a more sensible person who understood the demands of an office he occupied in the 21st Century.

He said there were a lot of issues that Lt Gen Shikapwasha needed to pay attention to than waste his time listening to who was on radio stations talking about the government.

Siajunza said many people in the country were living in poverty and could not even afford to page if they owned a mobile phone.

He said instead of frustrating callers, Lt Gen Shikapwasha should inform the nation on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) audit report.

“We are waiting for the findings in the alleged irregularities they instituted investigations for,” Siajunza said.

He said Lt Gen Shikapwasha’s government had decided to sell Zamtel and yet the value of the company had not been made public after the valuation that was carried out.

“These are the matters he should be addressing the nation on,” he said. “Look at how the government handled the issue of Thandiwe Banda who was drawing a salary when she had already left school. No statement was heard from them.”

Siajunza said the job of the information minister was to ensure that every person fully had access to information even in rural areas.

Another regular caller, Felix Konoso dismissed Lt Gen Shikapwasha’s accusations, describing them as cheap propaganda.

Konoso said at no time did The Post bribe or give them instructions to talk on Sky FM Radio.

He said Lt Gen Shikapwasha’s sentiments were a deliberate act to try and intimidate them from participating in the governance of this country.

“It does not take The Post to tell us that people in Barotseland live [in poverty] due to neglect by President Banda. I am sure if it was the British protectorate, the Mongu–Kalabo road would have been operational and it doesn’t also take your paper to tell us that majority of people do not have access to flush water toilets,” he said. “It doesn’t take you to tell us that the bank interest rates are over 30 per cent when the global average in developing countries is two to three per cent.”

Konoso wondered why Lt Gen Shikapwasha was behaving like an army recruit.

He said if the minister had nothing to say, it was better to just shut up.

“The bad seed he was talking about is being planted by his useless government,” he said. “If they have failed to provide for doctors, teachers and nurses properly, that is what will cause chaos.”

Konoso said he, with his colleagues, was aware that the government had instructed a named radio station to blacklist them on its live phone-in programmes.

“If you observe, me, Proud, Tambulukani and the others have stopped calling because what is happening is that when you call, they will ask who it is and not take you through and for me, I had to use another name to go through to that radio station,” Konoso said.

He said although they were blacklisted, there were still other people who would call to the radio stations with stronger messages.

Konoso said the government could not block the whole nation and urged Lt Gen Shikapwasha never to take the Zambian people for granted because he would not be a minister forever.

Sky FM forum chairperson Imbuwa Imbuwa said Lt Gen Shikapwasha should not use him as a scapegoat for his government’s failure to provide for its citizens.

Imbuwa said Lt Gen Shikapwasha’s attacks on him were unfortunate because the state was fighting with its citizens.

“Whether one is President or not, it does not make sense that whoever comments on former president [Frederick] Chiluba, the whole state machinery will be released on him or her,” he said.

Imbuwa said Lt General Shikapwasha led a very important ministry and people expected a lot from him.

“So it is not right for him to say we are being paid by The Post. I don’t think that should be the case and it’s not right for him to say callers are insulting,” he said.

Imbuwa cited recent concerns that were raised by the government against one radio station in Western Province, saying the callers in the areas raised similar concerns to those raised by callers to Sky FM and other radio stations.

He wondered why Lt Gen Shikapwasha went round radio stations to issue threats.

“Surely where is Imbuwa’s hand in all the cases - donors, civil society organisations (CSOs) and many others all have opposing views? Where is the influence in all these organisations?” he asked. “Shikapwasha should look at issues and not stop people from talking.”

Imbuwa said people like Lt Gen Shikapwasha must lead an exemplary life because he drew his salary from taxpayers’ money.

He said people wanted to see results in his ministry and urged him to expedite the process of enacting the pending Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act and the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill.

“He keeps talking about genocide in the country and he is still talking genocide,” Imbuwa said. “If he says he doesn’t want to hear regular callers like Imbuwa, Konoso, how much is he doing to capture the views of ordinary citizens? I want to plead with Hon Shikapwasha to look at such areas because his ministry is key and he is spokesperson who should add value and not release heat on ordinary citizens.”

Imbuwa said the callers were not in any way insulting the President but they wanted him to look at all areas of the economy.

Labels: RADIO SKY FM, RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA

posted by MrK @ 5:30 PM