Chipimo urges decisiveness on corruption

Chipimo urges decisiveness on corruption
By Bright Mukwasa
Tue 27 Sep. 2011, 12:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata should decisively deal with the corruption that has robbed our children of a decent future, says National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo Jr. During a press briefing yesterday, Chipimo said there was no time for complacency but hard work and sacrifice. Chipimo said this was the time to embrace the chance to ingrain real and democratic change in the country's institutions and way of life.

"We should deal decisively with the corruption that has robbed our children of a decent future and develop a constitution that will truly stand the test of time and limit excessive powers," Chipimo said.

"We also believe investigations into the abuse of resources is a normal process, and the law should be followed. Investigations should be undertaken but not witch-hunting."

Chipimo also urged the new government to make the Electoral Commission of Zambia truly independent and reduce wasteful expenditure and invest in delivery of quality health care and education.

Chipimo said the people of Zambia did the right thing to vote out the MMD.

"What people of Zambia have done in reality is pass their verdict in a referendum on the last three years of an administration that had become far too comfortable with itself and too uncomfortable with implementing tangible development plans that could benefit all of the people rather just a few," he said.

"We urge the new administration to exercise tolerance and restraint and to build a culture of reconciliation within the nation. Our role will not be to oppose for the sake of opposing but to work as responsible custodians with the new leadership commending them where their work is consistent with the correct governance standards and challenging approaches they may take that could retard our progress."

He commended President Sata for winning the Presidential election. Chipimo said President Sata's victory was the people's victory. He thanked Zambians for supporting NAREP in last week's election.