President Levy Mwanawasa says he is concerned and grieved that the national media has shown inertia in highlighting the humanitarian situation in the country.
And Government has since given K20 million to each constituency in Southern Province to alleviate the suffering of the people.
President Mwanawasa said the national media has a duty to inform the world about humanitarian situation in Zambia.
Dr. Mwanawasa observed that the national media should not be conservative in reporting about humanitarian situation in the country.
President was speaking at Mbiya Basic School on his tour of Southern Province to acquaint himself of the flood situation in the area.
Dr. Mwanawasa who arrived in Southern Province today further said the media should not wait to be prompted by his office to highlight the flood situation in the country.
Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has said the humanitarian situation arising from floods should not be polticised.
Dr. Mwanawasa said the humanitarian situation is a national disaster which requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
He added that sentiments from some politicians that his administration was uncaring are unfounded.
He said Government is doing everything to alleviate the suffering in Southern Province and other parts of the country where humanitarian aid is needed.
Dr. Mwanawasa said although it was his first time to come Southern Province to acquant himself with the flood situation in the area it does mean that Government is not alert to the plight of the flood victims in the area.
Dr. Mwanawasa said it should be noted that apart from the humanitarian situation arising from the floods, there are other pressing challenges which need Government attention.
Government has since given K20 million to each constituency in Southern Province to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Government has also given flood victims food stuffs.
Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa has challenged the ministry of Tourism Environment and Natural Resources and Transport and Communications to embark on a sensitisation drive to inform Zambians about Climate change and its effects.
President Mwanawasa said the current flood situation being experienced in some parts of the country was as a result of the new phenomena of climate change.
Dr. Mwanawasa said measures should be taken to act in a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change as the phenomena have far reaching consequences.
The President was speaking at Rail grounds in Monze on his continued tour of the province to acquaint himself with the flood situation in the area.
Dr. Mwanawasa said climate change had adverse effects on food security as it brings about excess water and at times lack of rains.
The President explained that climate change was caused through human activity such as industrial pollution of the environment hence the need to sensitise people about environmental issues.
He noted that although Africa is not guilty of pollution caused by industries, that the effects are largely felt by the continent.
Quoting LPM “the national media has a duty to inform the world about humanitarian situation in Zambia”. “Humanitarian situation arising from floods should not be polticised”. The truth pains.The disaster has become an issue in the eyes of LPM because of reportage by media of what HH had said about the obtaining situation. It is double standards to need the media only to one’s advantage. Truth reporting can only be guaranteed when freedom of information bill is passed.
LPM what is 20m for a constituence in need, that is just about one person’s monthly allowance for bunks in the name of NCC. Can we be serious with calamities.
LPM is right the Zambian media is very docile. If anything it mostly reports on events happening in Lusaka and in the Copperbelt Province. The every day suffering of people in the remote areas of Zambia are never reported. One wonders what kind of media schools Zambian journalists go to. Or should the blame be put squarely on the shoulders of editors who have turned the media into “His Master’s Voice”? Now the Republican President is not amused. Please editors & your staff shape up or ship out.