Maravi

Posterity will judge opposition leaders harshly, says Monde
By Gift Chanda in Itezhi-tezhi
Mon 11 Nov. 2013, 14:00 CAT

ITEZHI-TEZHIi UPND member of parliament Greyford Monde says posterity will harshly judge opposition leaders resisting to work with the PF government for the betterment of people's lives.

Monde, who is also agriculture deputy minister, said leaders resisting to work with the the current government would have themselves to blame in future when the tables turn against them during elections.

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema recently asked UPND members of parliament to denounce President Michael Sata in the House over what he termed a poor governance system.

Hichilema said it was the duty of Parliament to moderate 'extremist leaders' like President Sata.

But reacting to Hichilema's statement, Sinazongwe UPND member of parliament Richwell Siamunene said the opposition leader wanted to use Parliament to champion his selfish interests and advised him against using the House to gain political mileage.

"Hakainde Hichilema should look at the broader picture and the bigger picture is Zambia. The people of Zambia must be central in whatever he is doing; whatever decision you make. Parliament is a very important important body in this country which approves the budget and the budgetary allocations help the people of Zambia," Siamunene had said.

"Frustrating the government means that he is frustrating the development of the country. He is achieving nothing. There is need for HH to realise that the country is much more important than him."

And Monde said the people's expectations go beyond political parties.

"All of us are voted in our positions by the people and the expectations of the people go beyond political parties," he said.

"Therefore, we need to place the people's interest first."

Monde, who accepted an appointment as agriculture deputy minister by President Sata amid opposition from his party, said leaders including councillors in the opposition who do not want to work with the PF government in order to foster development would have themselves to blame because people would judge them according to what they have delivered.

Monde took time over the weekend to inspect some of the projects in his constituency funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and said there was no point in opposition leaders continuing to criticise and frustrate progressive projects by the government.

"There are people who always want to oppose. Why should they always oppose? These works that we are trying to do are positive. Talk about schools, health posts, that is what we need to do..." he said.

Monde, however, noted that he was impressed by the Itezhi-tezhi council chairperson, Fanuel Sitongwa, who is also UPND district secretary, for accepting to accompany his entourage on the tour of the CDF-funded projects.

Meanwhile, Monde said there was urgent need to address both the learning and teaching environment in schools in his constituency.

Citing Iyanda Primary School which only has a one by two classroom block for grade one to seven pupils, Monde said the situation was desperate.

He said another one by two classroom block was need at the school where some teachers houses have been built using CDFs.

"We also need to plaster and ventilate these houses. Our teachers need to work and live in a very conducive environment," said Monde.

Monde also visited Mahungu and Luubwe primary schools where classroom blocks and teachers' houses are being built using CDFs.

Labels: GREYFORD MONDE, PF, POVERTY, UPND

posted by MrK @ 4:45 PM