Friday, March 29, 2024

RB’s directive to expedite road works does not amounts to systematic rigging, ECZ

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THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has dismissed as baseless assertions by United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema that President Rupiah Banda’s directive to expedite road works amounts to systematic rigging of next year’s elections.

ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna said Government has a mandate to develop the country and was at liberty to plan and execute its projects.

Mr Akufuna said the Government’s decision to intensify road construction works did not violate provisions of the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 2011 general elections.

He said in Lusaka yesterday that works that were planned ahead of any election should go ahead because the law did not prohibit Government’s mandate to deliver development to the people.

Mr Akufuna was reacting to accusations by Mr Hichilema and other opposition leaders and civil society groups that President Banda’s directive for intensified road works was slanted towards systematic rigging.

President Banda recently directed Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane to immediately mobilise additional funds for the construction of main roads throughout the country this year.

Mr Banda said the cost of repairing the roads had gone up because of delays in
completing the works and wanted to specifically see the completion of the construction of the Mutanda-Chavuma Road in North-Western Province, Choma-Chitongo-Namwala Road in Southern Province, and the Kasama-Luwingu Road in Northern Province.

Mr Akufuna, however, said ECZ only expected reduced non-emergency public philanthropic activities at an election time but not planned development projects which were approved long before execution.

“The commission, however, encourages and expects the scaling down of any public philanthropic activities not related to emergency situations at election time,” Mr Akufuna said.

He said the prohibitions in the electoral (code of conduct) regulations as set out in Regulation 7 were specific.

“They do not restrict Government’s mandate to execute developmental projects in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chama-Senga Cultural Association has joined other sections of society in commending President Banda for directing Dr Musokotwane to source funds for the rehabilitation of roads countrywide.

Secretary general Yotam Mtayachalo said in Ndola yesterday that the directive was a clear indication that President Banda and the MMD were committed to developing the country because a good road network was vital to the development of the country’s economy.

Mr Mtayachalo said it was indisputable that for many years now, the road network in Zambia had been neglected.

“This is the more reason that every reasonable Zambian must give President Banda a pat on the back for his initiative,” he said.

Mr Mtayachalo said the association realised that the construction of roads was an expensive exercise but asked the president to equally consider the Chama-Matumbo Road that connected Chama to Northern Province through Isoka.

He said the road had been on Government’s drawing board since the 1970s and that it was cardinal that this time around it should be among the roads to be rehabilitated under the president’s directive.

He noted that Chama had abundant natural resources that remained unexploited due to the poor state of the road.

[Times of Zambia]

11 COMMENTS

  1. Chris has become a dull chap, its not this literature teacher i knew 20 years back. oh my God, Mindolo will never miss you boy. lets see after 2011 elections if such pronouncements will continue? Zambians ama dull heads yafulisha ninshi kanshi?

  2. No 1 the post have become so useless to our society, so petty on issues and will condem any thing notworthy

  3. I Think ECZ should never engage itself in such debate if it’s to remain really neutral and independent! Seems the “definition of “systematic rigging” is not the same for Cris and HH… I urge ECZ to not be seen to either back, justify, defend or speak against any political contender over any campaign debate however simple it looks. That way, the ECZ could engender the confidence of all: It’s not about whether one camp is right or wrong – focus on your work…

  4. Iwe Kuku how has the Post become useless to our society? If you are not happy with it avoid it and stick to the Times,ZDM and ZNBC.Period.I asure you it will replace you with 10 readers!!!

  5. Every year we make a budget and its during this time that roads must be planned for. Giving useless instructions whenever we have an election will result in hapharzard and lopsided development. When people cry for road repairs MMD say there is no money, so where is this money coming from for roads and schools in areas where elections are taking place.?

  6. “in commending President Banda for directing Dr Musokotwane to source funds for the rehabilitation of roads countrywide.” “This is the more reason that every reasonable Zambian must give President Banda a pat on the back for his initiative,” he said. I don’t even know what to say…….. Uniforms need to be bought & School fees are due to be paid in the home and Father tells wife to go and look for the money.. and one foolish child then says lets congratulate father for the initiative and job well done !

  7. 4, Interested parties including yourself expect (actually demand) direction from ECZ. So what is wrong with Chris Akufuna making a clarification?
    5, The Post plays (preys is more suitable) on the emotions of the gullible.

    The Post has no sensitivity at all. How can they try to spoil the good atmosphere of the Kuomboka ceremony with such silly comments on Rupiah’s head dress, just to get at Rupiah? Come 2011 do not cry rigging, you will have rigged yourselves by then because of poor manners which people are watching. Voters are not fools.

  8. Those who stay in zmb arent worried abt this directive coz we know the toothless dogs are jst backing.How long has it taken them to do a 40km stretch from zimba to pemba?Almost 4yrs the road isnt complet up to now.Can you imagin 40km!How many yrs will it take them to do these ones thay are talking abt.Kunya bebele bane,pantu ngatwalanda ati kuya nishi twabacindika!

  9. 9 ba PF, neither does it take 90 days to do a 40km stretch. I am not so sure that the road was started 4 years ago, this is most likely typical PF misinformation but sorry we are not so gullible.

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