Acting President Mr. Rupiah Banda has explained that he refused to sign legislation for the increment of salaries and allowances for constitutional office holders because of many problems workers and the general public were facing in various sectors.
He said the issues of University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturers, University Teaching Hospital Doctors who were on strike demanding better conditions of services as well as the issue of high fuel prices in the country were some of the reasons that made him refuse to sign the bill.
He explained that he did not refuse to sign the bill because of the election but because he considered and listened to the complaints of the civil society, the church and many other Zambians over the proposed increase in salaries of constitutional office holders.
Mr. Banda is in Kasama to officiate at this year’s Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena ceremony of the Bemba people of paramount chief Chitimukulu in Mungwi district.
He arrived in Kasama yesterday in the company of Minister of Information and Broadcasting services, Mike Mulongoti, who is also leading his campaign team for October 30 presidential elections.
Others accompanying the acting President are Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Friday Malwa, former Minister of Information, Vernon Mwaanga, MMD National Chairman, Michael Mabenga, MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba and other party officials.
Mr. Banda held closed door meetings with Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and other Bemba chiefs and later held private talks with Kasama Diocese Bishop, James Mumba Spaita.
ACTING President Rupiah Banda said his government is committed to expediting issues regarding the welfare of chiefs in the country.
Mr. Banda said this in Mungwi today in an interview with ZANIS shortly after holding a closed door meeting with Bemba Chiefs’ who included Paramount Chief Chitimukulu at his palace.
He said Government would continue to process Chiefs’ subsidies on time in order to improve their welfare.
Mr. Banda also said Government has procured a fleet of vehicles to be distributed to Chiefs’ who did not benefit from the first consignment.
And Mr. Banda described his closed door meeting with both Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and the Bemba Chiefs’ as fruitful.
He said that some of issues discussed centred on fostering unity and hard work in the country, which he said were key to national development.
“We learnt a lot from the Chiefs’ wisdom. We encouraged one another about unity, production and hard work, and making sure that we remain a united nation,” Mr. Banda said.
Mr. Banda further urged youths to build on the good foundation of unity and peace built by the older generation if the country was to achieve meaningful development.
Meanwhile, Mr. Banda, who described himself as a traditional cousin to the Bemba speaking people, said he was looking forward to tomorrow’s Ukusefya Pa Ngw’ena traditional ceremony.
The acting President is in Northern Province on a three (2) day official visit.
ENDS/KSH/PK/ZANIS.
That closed door meeting! Chances are utuma envolopes twalifuma.
You didn`t sign it because you feared you were going to lose more votes.
You are taking advantange of the poor chiefs. Please stop this.
Its not only a rich political,Educational diplomatic,and Public background that his Honour Mr Rupiya Banda posses but the man has wisdom.Check the way he handled issues and affairs our of country during the illness of our late President.He has almost everything that Plot one demands from a Presidential candidate.
RB is not someone to trust. Just look at the way he has u-turned on the issue of salaries. This chap given chance to go to plot 1 can do any sh…….t depending on what anybody tells him.
Also sugar dad why so tuma screet meetings wherever you go. Bambuya bafuna sugar please take it papa.
Choma1 I hope you freeze to death this winter. Your sugar daddy is not sending money to you. He is busy distributing sugar to chiefs and 20 year olds! lol
Ine ni Pa Bwato.
Hmmmmmmmmm!only 6 years in the MMD.Old habits die hard.This man is a disgrace.
HERE IN RUSSIA WE HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO BEGGARS. THE IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE ARE NOT EVEN SAYING NOTHING ABOUT OUR LITTLE ALLOWANCES. RIGHT NOW AM BEGGING FOR INTERNET FROM MY ANGOLAN FRIEND. SHAME MMD
#4 ka tano.I live in Ukraine.Dont worry about the flag,it represents my internet provider and not my location
Dear all, what is the web for HH please
The question we need to ask ourselves is why was the issue brought up of salary increments when LPM was in a COMATOSE state, when he had initially rejected this? RB should have consolidated the decision made by his appointing authority, by briefing the Nation that he was not going to sign the BILL because it was a case which had already been rejected & then reflect on a number of issues affecting Zambians!
We have a problem here! He is cheating in order to Win this bye election! And the serious issue is that our opposition parties are not trusting each other to remove these plunderers!
#4.Ka Tona you funny,you just made my day,atleast I will go to club in a good mood.Bwato is sinking and my advice is dont sink with it anyway I have great respect for your President,he is a good opposition leader.take care fellow countrymen,
If the opposition loses,we have to blame Hakainde Hichilema! FDD (Edith Nawakwi) supported him, but he lost! What he should have done now is to support SATA so that for a change, we see what happens!
I like Dr Kaunda so much, but he contibuted to this mess as he is the one who signed that every one can form his own Party to participate in Multiparty politics! Here is a reason:
1) He should have also put in place a constitution stipulating that a Vice President should be a running mate. This is why opposition parties can not trust each other by fielding one candidate as you have to wait for someone to win in order to appoint you based on agrements signed.
The government has in the last six months failed to give students allowances, deserting more than 400 students based in Russia.Thus leaving them to face the savage winter on their own without financial or material help. In a bid to buy school materials for the new academic year that opened two weeks ago,students both male and female have engaged in various activities to raise money. It is well know that the Russian law does not allow foreign students to work in Russia. This has lead to some students going to extreme measures to make ends meet.
According to a 2007 survey Moscow was found to be the most expensive city in the world, to live in. The students complained that their meager allo
RB we are wait for are money, the next we will write to Russian gvt
Con’td from #11
What happens if someone wins and then does not fulfill the agreement? Taking each other to court takes so long based on these Lawyers we have since, they prefer to adjourn the case for more allowances & money! To them, if they can’t find case similar to what they are handling, the case is adjourned! Lacking data on their part which in essence is incompetence, case is adjourn!
Look at what has happened to FTJ’s case! It’s now approaching 8 SOLID years & nothing has been achieved so far!
Therefore, to bring sanity to this so called democracy, position of VC should be a running mate, 50+1% should apply, and above all, two to three political parties with good policies!
The funny thing is that these guys are only cool when them elections are just around the corner.I would urge fellow loving Zambians who will be voting to llok at some countries like Tanzania,DRC,USA,Parkistan etc and not Zimbabwe.Gov´ts of national unity are always a waste of tym.Vote for someone young and freash minded and not people with full of lies.All the best to mother Zambia!!!!!!!
Country me, RB has nothing to offer. Sata is right to discard A MERGER. iN 1991, WE DARED FOR democracy. Mergers are a quick fix to ‘those in power get what they want.’ Let each party field its own leader, that’s what we voted for. Democracy doesn’t mean sharing utupoto, awe bane!!! Let leaders know that u form a party and it would take donkey years top get to plot 1. HH should not cry foul, let him grow up in the ranks first. Political parties must have membership, finance, wider appeal and good ‘pro-poor’ policies, care for intellectual development (UNZA) and so forth. PF, ni ziiiii.
#8 HH’s web is hakaindedotcom
#17 There is no need to look at HH s site because alot of vital information is missing. LT is enough
#11 ,i fail to understand you when u blame DR KAUNDA for the mess,iam sure u undrstand costitution amendments,we had FTJ and LPM ,and the mvunga comm.manakatwe com and the current draft of the mungomba comm. FTJ did amend the costi.its upto zedians to demand for running mate but NGOS or u to xplain to someone in NABWALYA what it means to have a running mate ,its advs & disadv.
CHOMA 1 #18 WE ARE HERE TO RULE THEM THE MASTER PLAN HAS WORKED
Ladies and gentlemen….finally the popular VJ is on the entourage. What do we expect? TWAFWA.
imwe twalanda pafula, ka. It’s Saturday night and I hereby officially declare…(rolling drums)…party time!
For those who are going out to slaughter some beautiful creatures with humps, pliz use a condom. And if you’re drinking, please don’t drive…see you tomorrow!
Is VJ campaigning to be VICE PRESIDENT or what?? I think RB owes the nation an explanation as to why this leech is tagging along.
BAnda huyu anama. Vote PF!
RUPIAH has no VISION for Zambia.
During my intermittent and timely contributions,I`ve pointed out that RB has no direction.During high school we used to learn about the difference between VECTORS and SCALAR quantities.RB is a best example of a scalar (magnitude without direction).We need leaders that are PROACTIVE and not REACTIVE.His focus seems only to be reacting to the opposition and not tabulating what he`s got to offer the nation.
The only thing that`s going to help this tired recycled old politician get to plot 1 is through rigging.He seems clueless on being the top dog or bwanamukubwa.
first of all excuse me for having such a name..i did not choose it..ask my parents. Now on a more serious my fellow citizens in this century why cant we find proper pipo to run the affairs of this country…We can do better…i will go for HH who i think among the three is the best..but as usual Villagers from Western, NW,EAST will not agree with me…ok lets have UBWATO or RB then…well about a rotating presidency…ooh my GOD SAVE THIS COUNTRY!!!!
If RB wins this October election, am wondering if the remaining 2 years would be counted as 1 term under our current “laws”…. remember our presidents have a maximum of 2 years to lead Zambia. Am not sure about this… but we need to think about it!
Countrymen with VJ in the picture I smell big time RIGGING.
after listening from SATA and RB, i have changed my mind.I’m voting for RB.His diplomacy and wisdom has made Satas speeches look very backwards and childish . I wander why I was attending his rallys.the man would produce NOTHING.Suddenly the coming of RB the opposition is panicking.RB lets pipo speak there heads out.When he speaks facts we are left with nothing to say.Only lair.In his campaign speeches you won’t here SATA or HH’s name.He debates issue and facts. Ask sata how he is going to bring down inflation! ans: we don’t it inflation!!!!!A president no way. RB you have my vote you exellency.
i wonder if RB means it. what have they done for the doctor at UTH? nothing, as of UNZA we know the story. nway, its a good campaign story for those gullible enough to believe him. VOTE wisely.
iwe popi ulishani boyi? lets look for that chair and on the RB
Niliche mubobo. sorry couldnt make it to the watering hole. visa yachikosa. walishiba genda especially after mailo yali single entry. at least iwe yachiba XPle entry.
i think i will try 2moro but still viva bwezani and i told you that the plan was to refuse signing the bill and cottan has reduced the price of mealie meal. the post is lost trying to campaign for sata
#23 Balinaka abo my sister.
#22 Where are you going? As if we don`t know Germany! You are always indoors there.
LT whats up. Mwilanchinga. naya namukusendama.
Ba RB always make your position known the first time. That’s what god chosen leaders do. What you said during your launch was that thebill would be taken back to the house for reconsideration and that’s what important here. that bill should have been thrown out completely. Mwalelomba ama voti bulya bushiku ba lupiya don’t cheat. You may have closed door meetings with chiefs but they only have one vote each.Mwe bantu i also have a feeling we will a change of govt this time. I have seen it in a vision. Its clear yet the details are vague, but change is coming. RB is not winning. Yeah i can see mulongoti weeping, i dont know why but that’s what am seeing. More details later pipo.
Follow up to #37. THIS IS NO JOKE PIPO. I SAW LEVY’S DEATH WHEN HE DIED THE FIRST TIME. THO I NEVER COMMUNICATED THIS IT WAS SO CLEAR. I JUST WOKE UP ONE MORNING CRYING AND TOLD MY WIFE ABOUT IT. LATER THAT DAY THE NEWS BROKE THAT LEVY HAS DIED. THIS TIME AROUND I HAD ANOTHER DREAM. RB WAS NOT IN THE PICTURE, MULONGOTI WAS CRYING. I THINK CHANGE IS ON THE WAY PIPO. RB IS NOT THE MAN FOR ZAMBIA. SAVE THIS MESSAGE AND COME BACK ON 1st NOVEMBER.
#8. ITS HAKAINDE.COM
#11 YOU ARE SPOT ON. SATA LISTENED TO THE CALLS AND NEED FOR A PACT WHICH HAKAINDE URINATED ON. SAD.
RB has brouht in master rigger VJ on board. Zambia twafwa ee! ZAF and OP have started planning for flying in gost voters cards for MMD. ECZ is toothless and corrupt to have a free and fair elections.
Only a new constitution will curb this cancer in the electoral process when the Chairman, Director will be appointed by an open and independent law board and being answerable to stakeholders unlike what we hear and see from the current ECZ. Anyway, Zambia shall be free from this, it is a question of time as time is a healing factor.
VJ is the Karl Rove of the MMD, he does not rig but he knows how to win an election.. its called “election engineering”
Sata has flip flopped once again. Changing positions on a pact with HH and on Chinese and Indian investors. The big man does not know what he believes in..
Whatever little respectability Rupiah Banda has been so desperately trying to give to his campaign has just been squandered by the inclusion of Vernon Johnston Mwaanga in his campaign entourage. Never mind the Katele Kaumbas and the like; Mwaanga should not be touched by any self-respecting presidential aspirant in Zambia! This says a lot about Rupiah. Throw the bums out on October 30!!
R.B you are responsible. You got my vote.
Why are we wasting our time talking about these old timers.we have plenty of fresh blood we can use than these recyled rubbish human monkeys.Forgive my bemba,sometimes it doesn’t come out good.
nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A vote for R B is a vote for retrogression and kleptocracy.
choma1 , be real to yourself, what information is missing from hakainde.com which candidate have reviewed?and just a simple test for you choma1, if usa is to obama , then zambia is to ?
a-sata
b-RB
C-hh
d-i prefer not to answer
for any wrong answer give yourself a minus 5 and correct answer plus 5 and d- zero
knowing you from your posting of denail and a person full of hatrage towards HH YOU WILL CHOOSE D
HAVE A NICE DAY YOU NAZI ZAMBIAN
#49 a.
#49 sata represents change?
#50
While I appreciate the views of RB, I hate his being in company with VJ. Can someone advise RB or VJ will bouce back as Infornmation Minister if not Vice president. At that time I shall wish I was never born a Zambia.
HERE U ARE YOU PF GUY’S, U DONT ADVISE YO CANDIDATES PROPERLY, ADVISE SATA TO GO FOR HIS HEART’S REVIEW IN SOUTH AFRICA PLEASE
#35 ukese boyi/gelo tuka kutwale ku kalabu, downtown Stuttgart. It’s a US Club called Club Cappo with plenty of humps! I’m not the type of Zambian who stays indoors…
MMD and Bwezani should be lynched if they go back on their promise after the naive give them votes.
He may turn out to the worst deceiver this country has ever seen. We gambled on LPM- turn out ok. But who says you can make a living on gamblin? The wise know that the house always wins so gambling is dangerous.
Its MMD controlling ici bwato going to no where land, with no where plans and no where visions.
Good luck
Why did he return the bill to parlament now? There is no more session before the election…..
What will happen after the election???? Go and figure!
we are grown up now we know the politics of zambia. come december you will see
People please go to the following site to see the complete Bill:
parliament.gov.zm
Go to:
The Presidential Emoluments (Amendment) 2008
and
The Ministerial & Parlamentary Offices (Emoluments) (Amendment) Bill 2008
to get the complete picture of the pay raises!!!!!!!
The annual figure for the President is around 471 Mio Kwacha.
For the VP it is annually around 350 Mio Kwacha.
Parlamentarians are also paid additional sitting allowances do not forget that when you see their figures.
I forgot to mention the 63 Mio Kw Constituency allowance for all.
“Mr. Banda held closed door meetings with Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and other Bemba chiefs and later held private talks with Kasama Diocese Bishop, James Mumba Spaita.”
Hhehhehhehhe, CLOSED DOOR meeting! What was taking place in there?
“Mr. Banda also said Government has procured a fleet of vehicles to be distributed to Chiefs’ who did not benefit from the first consignment… And Mr. Banda described his closed door meeting with both Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and the Bemba Chiefs’ as fruitful… Meanwhile, Mr. Banda, who described himself as a traditional cousin to the Bemba speaking people, said he was looking forward to tomorrow’s Ukusefya Pa Ngw’ena traditional ceremony.” RB has the plan, go RB so that HH can win the 30/10/2008 elections. Vote HH for a real ray of change and hope that all Zambians can believe in.
The Constitutional Office holders Bill was discussed in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the late President and it was there where it was agreed to put the Bill to Parliament. This was not a decision by Rupiah Banda. Only reason it came up when Levy was sick is because that is when Parliament reconvened since the time of meeting held with Levy chairing. This is a fact I dare anyone to contradict. Face facts.
This country is going to the dogs because of the way our leaders emerge on scene without preparing to lead our country.please zambians we need leaders who can change this country not people like banda who was rotting in retirement and today he is trying to become a president.can vote for him even im from the Eastern province.
Backoff with your sweet speech.Long tym you would have said any about the above issue but opted to be silence.Now that it is election tym…….
but bwezani ula nsebanya, we all know its campaign
Guys lets not judge a book by its cover.Lets give a chance to sata.
I pity those guys doing there studies in Russia on empty stomachs. I did mine at C.B.U and my parents worked for C.B.U so whenever I was short of essentials I could just trek down home and get supplements or atleats eat from there. But to be in a foreign country and without essentials is something else and I wonder how you manage to concentrate on your studies coz with me hunger and studies don’t mix. But tell me, these sponsorships look very lucrative when they are offered what really happens afterwards coz I remember we used to envy those who were going to Russia in our times (1998).
R.B. that is good reasoning if u really mean it. Keep it up!!!