Sata Hichilema desperate

Monday 28 June 2010  

 

From ALEX NJOVU in Mufulira

VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has charged that Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata and his United Party for National Development (UPND) counterpart Hakainde Hichilema are desperate politicians who are offering unrealistic promises because they have been in the opposition for too long.

And Mr Kunda said Government and the Catholic Church have continued working together in bettering the lives of people in various communities in the country.

Mr Kunda said Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema are offering Zambians unrealistic promises which they cannot fulfil.

He was speaking when he addressed Copperbelt and Mufulira MMD executive committee members at Mufulira Municipal Council chamber yesterday.

“Mr Sata and Hichilema are desperate people who have been in the opposition for too long. They have resorted to telling people lies because they want to get to power. Don’t trust them,” Mr Kunda said.

He said it is unfortunate that some innocent Zambians are being convinced with unrealistic promises being made by Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema.

Mr Kunda said Government is making promises from the development projects it is implementing countrywide.

He urged MMD members to explain to people the projects government is implementing across the country.

Mr Kunda said the country has continued attracting investors and that donors have confidence in the government because it is prudently managing public resources.

He said Government has almost completed working on roads leading to all the provinces and that it has started rehabilitating township roads throughout the country.

Mr Kunda said he had seen how bad the Mufulira –Sabina and Mufulira –Ndola roads are and that Government is committed to ensuring that the roads are worked on.

He said Government is building schools, hospitals, clinics and other infrastructure countrywide because it is committed to the development process of the country.

“The opposition knows very well that there is K17 trillion in the budget and we are executing it transparently and prudently and yet they have continued attacking us. If you trust these leaders who have bad records and if they come into power, that is 100 years from now, they will ruin the country. We are taking development to all parts of the country.

“Even if Mr Hichilema talks about the sale of ZAMTEL, we have records at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning that indicate the exact amount of money that he got as fees from the sale of RAMCOZ and BINANI mines,” Mr Kunda said.

He said Government will continue implementing viable projects which can benefit the people in communities.

Mr Kunda urged Zambians, especially women and youths, to form clubs and apply for funds from Government that have been set aside for empowerment purposes.

He urged youths to desist from being used to fuel violence in communities.

Mr Kunda said the MMD is preparing a manifesto and other documents for 2011 which it will be giving to its members.

He said Government is also preparing the Sixth National Development Plan which will act as a guide in national development.

Mr Kunda said President Banda will make a final decision on the houses in Kankoyo township in Mufulira whose sitting tenants have already made part payments.

“I am going to make a very good report with my recommendation to President Banda on the houses in Kankoyo township. The sitting tenants have made part payment on the houses under the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines –Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH). The President is going to make a final decision on this matter,” he said.

And speaking when he attended a church service at St.

Patrick Catholic Church in Mufulira, Mr Kunda said Government and the Church have continued working together in fostering development in the country.

He said there are schools and health centres that are managed by both the Catholic Church and the Government.

Mr Kunda said Government will continue supporting the Catholic Church and other Churches in the country.
He said there is need to continue working together to meet some of the challenges facing the vulnerable people.

“The Catholic Church and other churches have continued playing a role of spiritual healers and contributing to the peace and tranquillity that the country is enjoying. When we have problems we all run to the Church for guidance, hence it is important to work together,” Mr Kunda said.

And parish priest Steven Katebe said leaders must not get upset when they are insulted by the people.

Father Katebe, who read from Galatians 5 verses 1-13 to 18, urged Christians to use their gifts that God has given them for the benefit of communities.

And parish chairman Lawrence Bwalya said that the Church and the government are real partners in the development process of the country.