Maravi

UNZASU explains why Rupiah’s govt is facing dissension

UNZASU explains why Rupiah’s govt is facing dissension
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Thu 26 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT

UNIVERSITY of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) president Duncan Nyirongo has said it will be fruitless for the ruling party to pay attention to resolving few intra-party differences at the expense of the large failed obligation towards the nation.

Nyirongo yesterday said the perceived differences within the ruling party had a meagre contribution to the reasons for the declining public preference for the MMD.
“Most of the electorate have little interest in the problems that have rocked the MMD as a party, but it is rather issues like the sinister acquittal of the former Republican president FJT Chiluba.

Appointments to public office of people whose morality have been highly questioned by the general public, the victimisation of people at various levels, students' leadership inclusive, for simply pointing out the shortcomings in the national governance,” he said.

“The shooting of students in universities by state police with impunity. Failure to perform by several government officials without any satisfactory reaction from the appointing authority as it can be manifested in the energy sector. Poor funding to critical institutions like the University of Zambia, Chainama College, Copperbelt University.”

He said it was high time the government realised that Zambians would no longer be manipulated by handouts delivered during elections and continue in misery for half a decade.

“To think that the current change in the way Zambians elect their leadership can take a twist within five minutes is irrational. The best a sensible government can do is to get back to the drawing board and address the issues that have upset most of us. For example, one wouldn't expect students to be happy with this government when they have been shot by state police without any positive response from the government. This is the only time that Zambians have given Rupiah Banda. We have given him the authority to be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces expecting that he will not allow any of these men in uniform to take away lives of innocent citizens, or indeed attempt to take away such lives with impunity,” he said.

Nyirongo said it was so disturbing that the head of state could say that Chiluba had not stolen from Zambians.

“A person that the state had taken to court, before the court could pass judgment. Few hours after the acquittal of Chiluba the president congratulated Zambians for accepting the acquittal. About two days later the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions said they could not comment on the acquittal as they were still studying the judgment.

The question is what time did a common Zambian have access to the judgment, studied it, appreciated and accepted it so that the President could then congratulate them? The next thing we saw was government officials going to celebrate the acquittal in Luapula Province leaving government work pending on their tables. Such is unheard of and should never be allowed in a country like Zambia whose people are living on less than a dollar per day,” he said.

He said Zambians had given President Banda all the power and authority to appoint credible people to various positions and form government.

“But have also given him all the power and authority to dismiss any failures. But if the President fails to perform this simple task, the Zambians will surely dismiss him together with his minions. It is a rare privilege which if not handled well, can be lost within a twinkle of an eye,” he said.

Nyirongo said the failure by the government to increase funding to universities despite increasing funding to the Ministry of Education by about 25 per cent suggested that they were trying to please a few teachers because they played a critical role in elections.

He said a substantial amount of this increment was meant to clear some of the outstanding allowances government owed teachers.

“But then such deceptions are not sustainable, and that is what teachers and many other Zambians are refusing. I am very hopeful that government will consider sourcing money for the universities and the University of Zambia in particular, if we are to have a smooth-running of the institution. In its current state the situation at UNZA stands as a volcano,” said Nyirongo.

Labels: DUNCAN NYIRONGO, UNZASU

posted by MrK @ 11:42 AM