Maravi

Milupi challenges RB to disclose the sponsor of TV adverts

Milupi challenges RB to disclose the sponsor of TV adverts
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 27 Sep. 2010, 15:00 CAT

Alliance of Democracy and Development president Charles Milupi has challenged President Rupiah to disclose the source of funding for his “campaign adverts” which are running on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC). And Milupi has charged that the ruling MMD's was using finances acquired dubiously to buy political power.

Milupi said that it was clear that the adverts were being used as a campaign tool stressing that it was prudent for President Banda to disclose the financier of his adverts because ZNBC is a public medium.

“it is clear that those adverts are a campaign tool. It is alright if the government is paying for them and also if ZNBC is allowing others to air their campaign adverts, “ he said.

“Our concern is whether those adverts are being paid for and if they are, what is the source of the money. We are aware that they are foreign investors who are funding MMD because they have been given contracts by government.”

Milupi also alleged that foreign investors were behind the adverts in question.

There is nothing wrong for foreign partners to sponsor government to run adverts on ZNBC TV but they should be able to indicate and declare their interest so that Zambians are clear on how government is spending their money.

“Laws have been made and repealed to suit the interests of MMD for example the industrial and minerals act that allowed and required foreign investors to partner with government in order to be given licenses to operate, this administration of RB repealed that law now we don't know if there are foreign companies which are getting unusual favors on condition that they sponsor MMD campaigns,” he said.

Milupi said the people of Zambia must look beyond the adverts which are talking about developments that neither existed nor was forth coming.

Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CHARLES MILUPI, CORRUPTION, FDI

posted by MrK @ 11:08 AM