Maravi

Sata warns SP youths planning protests over realignment

Sata warns SP youths planning protests over realignment
By Bright Mukwasa
Wed 22 Feb. 2012, 12:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has warned youths in Southern Province who intend to protest over the re-alignment of districts that they will be met by police. And President Sata yesterday said he has never met former president Rupiah Banda to discuss issues related to his prosecution over alleged corruption that could have been committed during his three year tenure.

President Sata made the remarks when he swore in defence deputy minister Colonel Joseph Lungu, Eastern Province minister Charles Banda, high commissioners, ambassadors, Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani, deputy Inspector General of Police Peter Chingaipe, deputy director general of the Anti Corruption Commission Alexander Museba and Western Province Police commissioner Fanwell Siandenge among others.

President Sata, who gave a historical background to the creation of most districts and provinces in the country, said his government was realigning districts for easy administration.

"When PF came to power, we pronounced two alignments, the creation of Muchinga Province and also Mafinga district. This is the second time Northern Province is being split because when I was a young man, the colonial government had to split Northern Province. It was too big, they had to create Luapula Province," he explained.

"When they created Luapula Province, the chiefs in Northern Province did not rise and say we are going to rise and even the youth is saying we are going to demonstrate, but I know I have got very capable police who will handle them."
Some sections of society in Southern Province, led by the UPND, have vowed to protest over President Sata's decision to realign some districts in the province.

And President Sata urged Zambian diplomats to represent the country and not their tribes and regions they hailed from.

President Sata also urged Colonel Lungu to go back to Msanzala and work on the roads that linked the districts to other places as a way of demonstrating gratitude to the chiefs in the area.

He called on provincial administrations in the country to work to the benefit of the people.

"We don't want a degree holder District Commissioner. We want a District Commissioner of the people, who is going to listen to the people, speak to them in Nsenga, speak to them in Chewa, Tumbuka. So you find that because of unemployment, once we revamp our rural development we are going to create jobs."

Those sworn in were special assistant to the President for economics and developmental affairs Paul Siame, Ndiyoyi Mutiti as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Japhen Mwakalombe as Ambassador to Mozambique and Mary Zambezi to Kenya.

Others were Encyla Sinjela Ambassador as permanent representative to Switzerland, Gerald Nyirenda as Ambassador to China and Bwalya Chiti as Ambassador to Germany.

As he awaited credentials from the French and British envoys, President Sata remarked: "Mr (Given) Lubinda, did you tell The Post I met Mr. Rupiah Banda? I have never met Mr Banda and I don't talk about his immunity."

Later in a statement, President Sata's special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah refuted The Post story that appeared in yesterday's edition which alleged that President Sata held a private meeting with Rupiah Banda after a luncheon hosted in honour of the Chipolopolo Boys last Tuesday.

Chellah stated that State House was concerned that the newspaper went as far as basing its editorial comment on a story that had turned out to be untrue.

"This is indeed unfortunate and injurious to the persons accused and therefore an appropriate retraction is required," he stated.

"For the record, the Head of State has never held any private talks with Mr Banda or indeed anyone to discuss his immunity or any matters related to the on-going investigations on corruption against some members of the previous regime. On February 12, 2012, President Sata sent ex-presidents Dr Kenneth David Kaunda and Mr Banda to join the Republican Vice-President's delegation that went to cheer the national team during the African Cup of Nations final in Libreville, Gabon. After the team won the trophy, the First Lady extended an invitation to the two former presidents to join the over 300 other guests at an open luncheon on State House grounds," he stated.

Chellah stated that the luncheon proceedings were open to the media right through and at no point did President Sata and Banda engage in any private or exclusive conversations.

Meanwhile, accepting credentials from British High Commissioner James Thornton and French Ambassador Marie-Annick Bourdin, President Sata said Zambia needed the partnership investment of their governments and its members to boost its developmental efforts.

He said his government wanted to get expert assistance from Britain to help boost operations of Cabinet Office, including provincial and district administration.

Later, President Sata met chieftainess Mwenda of Chikankanta who said she came to Lusaka to congratulate him over his victory and the creation of Chikankanta as a district.

Labels: CADRES, DEMONSTRATION, DISTRICTS, MICHAEL SATA, PROVINCES, SOUTHERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 2:22 PM