Maravi

Zambezi residents vow not to vote for MMD over road

COMMENT - " RESIDENTS in Zambezi district in North Western Province have threatened not to vote for the ruling MMD in the 2011 general elections unless the Mutanda-Chavuma road is tarred up to their area. " I think this is very cool. Votes for development - why not?

Zambezi residents vow not to vote for MMD over road
By Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Sat 19 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT

RESIDENTS in Zambezi district in North Western Province have threatened not to vote for the ruling MMD in the 2011 general elections unless the Mutanda-Chavuma road is tarred up to their area.

During a post-budget forum organised by Caritas Zambia under the Diocese of Solwezi following the recent presentation of the 2010 national budget by finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, the residents complained of being discriminated against.

According to a report authored by Caritas Zambia North Western Province coordinator Frederick Nabanda, the residents also demanded access to hydroelectric power.

Nabanda presented the report to new North Western Province minister Daniel Kalenga.
“Unless the M8 Mutanda-Chavuma Road is tarred up to Zambezi, the ruling party will never get even a single vote in the 2011 general elections from voters there,” Nabanda stated.

In the recent Solwezi Central parliamentary by-election, the MMD’s seat was grabbed by the opposition PF-UPND pact whose candidate Watson Lumba defeated the ruling party’s Albert Chifita.

The defeat, critics say, was an indication of frustration at the MMD’s failure to improve the poor road network, provide piped water to the majority of residents among other concerns.

Nabanda stated that Zambezi residents expressed frustration at the government’s agriculture and education policies.

“The so called Fertiliser Support Programme has failed to bring about food security and government should stop making people believe that it is committed to promoting agricultural production in the country,” he stated. “As evidenced by the little allocation to the education sector it was clear that government did not take it as a priority if at all they have a development agenda for the country. If anything education, health and agricultural sectors are neglected and this should be put across to the government.”

Nabanda stated that during the tour of Zambezi his team paid a courtesy call on Chief Ishima of the Lunda people at his Kasesi Palace.

“During the discussions that centred on governance, the chief lamented the poor service delivery to his community,” stated Nabanda. “He asserted that from the way the country was run it was clear that the only people considered to be Zambians are those holding positions in government and not the ordinary citizenry.”

Labels: CARITAS, INFRASTRUCTURE, MMD, ROADS, ZAMBEZI

posted by MrK @ 4:47 AM