Thursday, May 19, 2011
By ALEX NJOVU
PRESIDENT Banda says his critics will not derail Government’s development agenda in this election year.
And Mr Banda has advised Zambians to reject recycled politicians calling for change of Government because they failed to improve living standards despite serving in Government for a long time.
Mr Banda said Government will rehabilitate selected urban roads in seven districts on the Copperbelt because the roads have been in a state of disrepair for many years.
President Banda was speaking in Kitwe’s Kwacha township yesterday when he commissioned the K1 trillion urban road rehabilitation programme on the Copperbelt.
“They can’t tell me to sit down because this is an election year. I have to continue working, whether they like it or not, because elections the world over are about performance. If I don’t work, it means you the masters will not be able to pay me as a servant. I have to work, so that I am paid by my masters,” Mr Banda said.
He said he had received feedback from a Kitwe resident identified only as Lawrence who told him of the importance of rehabilitating certain roads in Kitwe.
“This is what Lawrence communicated to us by email and I quote : ‘That is a very good gesture for the people of the Copperbelt. I know this is a very difficult province for the ruling party. These are the best solutions to this problem which has persisted for some time. I am based in Kitwe. The most impassable road is the Chamboli road which leads to Chamboli cemetery. If this road is done, a lot of people will be delighted. The second one is the Chibuluma road. Please let’s do something about these roads as they are the major ones in Kitwe’.”
He said Lawrence’s concerns are truly valid and will be attended to. Mr Banda is concerned that urban roads have so far not received the same urgent attention due to limited funding.
He also said Government has secured funding to rehabilitate selected urban roads in Lusaka, Kafue, Kapiri-Mposhi and Kabwe.
“On the Copperbelt, seven urban towns will benefit from this programme in Ndola, Luanshya, Kitwe, Mufulira, Chingola, Kalulushi and Chililabombwe. It is time to bring back the Luanshya that we knew. It is time to once again make Chingola the cleanest town in Zambia that we knew in the 70s. It is time to make Kitwe look like the hub of the Copperbelt,” Mr Banda said.
He said the urban road rehabilitation programme will alleviate the hardships road users face due to the poor state of roads.
He said the rehabilitation of the roads will facilitate the easy movement of people, goods and services.
“This urban roads rehabilitation programme is targeting approximately 500 kilometres of both tarmac and gravel roads and is estimated to cost about K1 trillion,” he said.
He commended Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) for providing US$10 million (about K50 billion) for the rehabilitation of Chibuluma –Sabina and Mufulira roads.
He said Government has also secured K20 billion for the maintenance of Sabina-Mufulira road.
And Minister of Works and Supply Gabriel Namulambe called on Copperbelt residents to vote for President Banda in this year’s elections.
On recycled politicians, Mr Banda said they had nothing to offer the people of Zambia.
He said it is unfortunate that individuals who have failed to perform like Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata, former Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti and former ambassador to Libya Mbita Chitala are now calling for change of Government
He said it is unfortunate that some disgruntled individuals are calling for change of Government for the sake of ascending to power.
“When they were in the MMD Government, they were arrogant, abusive and lazy. Now they want to form a new government. How can they have a new government made up of old people?” Mr Banda said.
He advised Zambians to elect leaders who will maintain peace and make Zambia an attractive destination for both tourists and investors.
“The leaders must be exemplary in character, they must show our children what leaders should be like, both in their words and deeds,” Mr Banda said.
He said it is unfortunate that some disgruntled individuals are calling for change of Government for the sake of ascending to power.
“When they were in the MMD Government, they were arrogant, abusive and lazy. Now they want to form a new Government. How can they have a new Government made up of old people?” Mr Banda said.
He advised Zambians to elect leaders who will maintain peace and make Zambia an attractive destination for both tourists and investors.
“The leaders must be exemplary in character, they must show our children what leaders should be like, both in their words and deeds,” Mr Banda said.
No comments:
Post a Comment