UN declaration on access to clean water has shamed NCC

UN declaration on access to clean water has shamed NCC
By Joseph Mwenda
Fri 30 July 2010, 14:10 CAT

MISSION Press director Fr Drevensek Miha has said NCC delegates who laughed and rejected the constitutional clause that sought to give citizens the right to access to water and food should be ashamed following the UN's declaration passed this week making access to clean drinking water as a basic human right across the globe.

And United Nations ambassador and 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) advocate Marsha Moyo described as ridiculous the debate of whether clean and safe drinking water for every person should a priority, saying the matter was non-negotiable.

On Wednesday July 28, 2010, the UN General Assembly made a declaration that stated “Access to clean, safe drinking water is now an official basic human right everywhere in the world”, following a realization that globally, nearly 900 million people lack access to clean water while more than 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation.

Speaking in an interview with The Post On-line, Fr Miha said the NCC delegates laughed at the Mung'omba draft constitution should now realise that they were laughing at their own children and grand children.

“The Constitution is the bible for a nation so it was most unfortunate that the majority of delegates laughed at that clause, it only means that they were laughing at their own children and grandchildren who will depend on that same clause,” Fr Miha said.

Fr Miha said the delegates’ altitude portrayed their arrogance and lack of concern for the Zambian people.

“They made an arrogant laughter, the most unfortunate laughter since independence... this shows that the MMD is trying to manipulate the Constitution,” he said.

Fr Miha said if the Zambian government will not adhere to the UN declaration, it means they do not adhere to the demands of their own children and the demands of the Zambian citizens.

And UN ambassador, Moyo said it was ridiculousness for delegates to debate on weather the access to clean water should be a basic human right in Zambia.

“Access to clean and safe drinking water should not be a privilege, but a right and so it is ridiculousness to discuss whether it is a priority in this day and age,” she said.

Moyo said the UN declaration was clear and would help Zambia contribute to MDG number seven which is aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability.