Maravi

Govt never had problems with Lambas - Rupiah

Govt never had problems with Lambas - Rupiah
By Kabanda Chulu and Abigail Chaponda
Mon 01 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said the MMD government has restored confidence among Lamba chiefs following what he termed the confusion that was being speculated by a newspaper working against his government.

And President Banda has said there is every reason for Zambians to have hope for the future since his government is building up on projects that were left by late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with over 10 Lamba chiefs on Saturday at senior chief Mushili’s palace, President Banda claimed that people in Lambaland had accepted his leadership style because it was bringing development.

“We have no problems here and there have never been problems with the Lamba people; and my government has restored its confidence among the Lamba chiefs and the purported confusion was mere speculation by a newspaper which is working against this government,” President Banda said. “I claim to be Lamba because of Mwanawasa who appointed me as his Vice-President and I am very happy with the reception which I have been accorded in Lambaland.”

Recently, Lamba chiefs were on record, accusing President Banda and his leadership of failing to develop their areas. The traditional leaders were also angered by remarks by MMD member Terence Findlay who said, “Lamba chaps with their Levy are bad people who wanted to put him in jail for 15 years for defilement”.

And officiating at the Chabalankata traditional ceremony of chief Mushili, President Banda said the government would always attach importance to traditional ceremonies because they promoted peace and national identity.

He said the MMD government was eager to address the challenges facing the Lamba people.

“This is your listening government and already it is on course with prudent and meaningful national development programmes some of which were started by President Mwanawasa and we are doing this since it is our duty as politicians to create opportunities for everyone and Zambians have every reason to have hope for the future,” said President Banda. “Because this country has become a land of opportunity and it is time for people to take up the challenge since this government is moving the country forward.”

And Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said the government would soon launch the public-private-partnership framework aimed at reconstructing chiefs’ palaces.

“The objective is to have permanent structures where government can provide electricity, water and related requirements,” Mbulakulima said.

Masaiti parliamentarian Gladys Lundwe said the MMD government deserved another term in office to complete its developmental programmes.

“For the first time in Masaiti we are having a district hospital and a boarding school and this speaks volumes on why we deserve another term in office,” Lundwe said.

Chief Mwinuna urged the government to quickly work on the roads in the area before the rainy season.
“Only roads can bring development to our areas and this should be done immediately before the rains start,” said chief Mwinuna.

Labels: MMD, RUPIAH BANDA, TRIBALISM

posted by MrK @ 6:01 PM