Union nods Mwense funding freeze

By ALEX NJOVU

THE Zambia United Local Authority Workers Union (ZULAWU) has welcomed Government’s decision to freeze funding to the Patriotic Front (PF)-dominated Mwense District Council in Luapula Province.

Government has with immediate effect frozen funding to the local authority following the misapplication of K348 million public funds meant for community services.
ZULAWU general secretary Noel Kalangu said in an interview in Ndola on January 27 that the freezing of the funding to the council is welcome.
Mr Kalangu warned councils against abusing public funds.
“As a union, we are disappointed with what is happening in some of the Patriotic Front-managed councils. They must not think that they are above the law of the land by engaging in activities that will tarnish the image of councils in Zambia,” Mr Kalangu said.
He said it is sad that councils have continued frustrating Government programmes aimed at developing the communities.
He said it is wrong for Mwense District Council to misapply K348 million as alleged out of the K570 million it received in 2007.
Mr Kalangu said it is sad that the council will not access money from the Land Development Fund (LDF) after it allegedly misapplied public funds.
He called on councils to work with Government to develop the country.
Mr Kalangu said Government has demonstrated that it is committed to addressing the problems councils are facing.
He said the people of Mwense have been denied development because some selfish people have allegedly misapplied public funds.
“It is good that Government has given the council a two-week ultimatum in which to pay back the money, and we challenge them to do so because the money is needed by the people of Mwense for developmental activities.
“We would like to warn councils against frustrating Government in its efforts to deliver services to the people countrywide,” he said.
Mr Kalangu urged local authorities to follow procedure when implementing projects.
He said it is wrong for councils to make decisions that disadvantage people in the communities.