Maravi

Stakeholders recommend delimitation of Chipata constituencies

Stakeholders recommend delimitation of Chipata constituencies
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Thu 14 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT

STAKEHOLDERS in Chipata have recommended for the formation of two more constituencies to the existing four in the district.

During the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)’s delimitation meeting in Chipata on Tuesday, the stakeholders recommended that Kasenengwa and Chipangali should be bisected to create Chiparamba constituency and that Makangila constituency be formed from Chipata Central and Luangeni Constituency.

In supporting the creation of additional constituencies, Chazingwa Mwale, a former Northern Province education officer, urged the stakeholders to be realistic in their deliberations.

He said the stakeholders had already recommended for the creation of Chiparamba Constituency in the past sittings and that people should just reaffirm that.

Mwale said there was also need to create another constituency in Chipata other than Chiparamba due to some geographical reasons.

Michael Chonta said the most important thing that should be considered in the delimitation exercise was resources.

“We should begin to challenge people at the top (leadership) that it is not about power that will bring development but how good resources are used. So if we are going to have more MPs meaning more gratuities more billions and creating 75 more constituencies meaning K75 billion in gratuity. This money can be used economically so that it can be used for development process,” he said.

Chonta suggested that it was important that constituencies such as Chipata Central remain as they were.

But Chipata district administrative officer Masautso Banda said it was only fair for the district to have six constituencies instead of the existing four.

“When we are having meetings such as this one, it’s important to look beyond the horizon, let’s not be closed. I will be very shocked if this (recommendation) will not go through. You have made these decisions but to me I don’t think these decisions are wrong,” said Banda.

Ronald Daka, who is Chipata Municipal Council director of planning, said the recommendations would be submitted to the provincial delimitation meeting next week.

The meeting was attended by various political parties and non-governmental organisations.

Labels: CHIPATA, ECZ

posted by MrK @ 6:22 PM