Thursday, March 28, 2024

Chikwakwa clarifies Women’s Day attire

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LUAPULA Province Permanent Secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa has described as malicious, reports that he ordered all female civil servants in the province to put on MMD chitenge materials during the commemoration of the International Women’s Day which falls today.

He said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that in an attempt to embrace more women outside formal employment in today’s celebrations, he had proposed the use of chitenge materials since suits would be too expensive for large groups of women taking part in march pasts.

Mr Chikwakwa said it was unfortunate that some people had twisted the proposal and formed an impression that he had ordered the women in the province to use MMD attire.

“That is cheap politicking. I know that this is an important day for our womenfolk which must never be politicised in any way.

‘‘The thing is, I want to encourage women in informal employment such as farming and fishing, and the housewives, to take part in such events. These celebrations are not for those in formal employment only.

“And since the number of participants this year is high, I said let us use chitenge materials. As the controlling officer for the province, I would be irresponsible to buy 500 suits at K500 million because where would we get money to work on roads and other projects?” he asked.

On the girl-child, Mr Chikwakwa said the provincial administration had intensified campaigns against early marriages, which are in most cases encouraged by cultural practises.

He said parents were being sensitised about the importance of allowing girls to attend school, since the development of the province hinged on that.

“Girls forced into early marriages are also exposed to the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Similarly, we are telling parents not to allow boys to abandon school and go fishing. They have a better future in a classroom and not in water,” he said.

The Government has stepped up construction and rehabilitation of high schools in Lukwesa, Milenge, Chiengi and other districts where modern infrastructure is sprouting.

Mr Chikwakwa said the provincial administration was also working to intensify the talent identification programme to develop sports in the province.

On the just-ended fish ban in the province, the permanent secretary said he was satisfied with the measures the provincial administration and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had jointly put in place to ensure fish was allowed to breed.

He said committees headed by village headmen, and to be supervised by chiefs, had been formed to enforce the ban that runs from December 31 every year to March 1.

A memorandum of understanding was recently signed between Luapula Province Minister Boniface Kawimbe and DRC’s Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi to provide guidelines on enforcing the fish ban and preserve the fish in Luapula River and Lake Mweru, which are shared by the two countries.

“We believe that by involving the local people, there will be a sense of ownership. We have also intensified patrols during the ban so that we could allow fish to breed. I am grateful to governor Katumbi for the full cooperation he is giving us,” he said.

[Times of Zambia]

11 COMMENTS

  1. Jazz 1 Wilasakamana Twalishiba Mulinshimbi If they are not talking about you then it means you are not working. Let them talk but just do it- Do your job. So not to worry they will continue twisting stories , just work

  2. And Petauke’s Radio Explorer on Saturday refused to host PF president Michael Sata despite prior formal agreement to do so.

  3. Sata, who had travelled for about three hours from Chipata to Petauke, proceeded straight to Petauke’s Radio Explorer when he arrived in the district for what was supposed to be a live programme, but was told by staff at the station that they were not expecting him on Saturday.

    One of the radio announcers at the station, Raymond Sakala, said the station only learnt of Sata’s programme on Friday, through his secretary.

    But Sata showed the workers at the radio station letters, which detailed the agreement that was made between the two parties.

    “There is no way we can come from Chipata, we come here and say you are not airing me… this is Petauke Explorer, are you not Explorer? 09:00 hours to 10:30 hours, K1.2 million,” Sata read the quotation he received from Radio Explorer…

  4. Ba Satan mulibapuba sana A quotation is not a final contract, what you should have done is to pay, that way you will have confirmed your booking not to argue on the basis of a Qoutation. Or sorry you forgot n”way you have so many problems to sort out. Meanwhile HH is celebrating the many revellations coming out about Bamudala.Taking two biological sisters to Bed. Awe mwaliba ilyashi mulupwa ya ba Bishop Mwe bonse ama sisters sure kuti mwaya shani kukantu kamo??

  5. 4
    2011 HERE WE COME!! wetole, the SSEXX life of Mr. Sata, is not the issue here. You propaganda is misplaced. If you are being paid, it is money wasted. Zuma has just had a child in his friends daughter. So whats wrong Kapoli, Senior Citizen

  6. sure number 6 u are rite. what those pipo should know is that MMD is going nowhere come 2011 the Pact is incoming govt. i supported the MMD of Mwanawasa not this UNIP-MMD Pact it is taking us to heal.RB is moving as if he is a bus conductor who can go anywhere. Pleae iwe chi number 4 mind what u say.RB is married to kafana lady in his 70s to 20s ladies that is an issues. SATA is capable to deleivery Zambia weather u like it or not he will run Zambia.MMD is panic and having sleepless night.ORDER START PACKING YOUR BELONGS!

  7. Women should wear what they want on International Women’s Day. Where is their freedom and liberty if some dude with a big belly is dictating what should be worn

  8. Nubian Princess# you are write why should chikwakwa decide for them and why should he mention to wear MMD chitenge and not both parties, Chikwakwa should mind his own business8-|8-|8-|8-|8-|8-|8-|8-|

  9. awe sure mu zambia mubotu. so many issues everyday….
    this was international women’s day not MMD women’ day. why should one suggest for women what to wear? every one should be allowed to wear what they feel is best for their identification as a company, organisation or church.even suits make women look good.

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