Public anger is amounting against the work of the Technical Committee Drafting the Constitution after revelations that the committee is paying people appearing on its radio programme K450, 000 each per programme.
The amount is paid as transport refunds for featuring on hour radio programmes.
The radio programmes are part of the sensitization efforts by the Technical Committee Drafting the Constitution.
The Committee recently paid K900, 000 to a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) for featuring on two radio programmes to discuss the draft constitution.
But YALI Executive Director Andrew Ntewewe condemned the decision by the Technical Committee to pay such huge allowances for transport.
“This is the worst case of abuse of national resources and we are now demanding that government tabulates how much the Technical Committee is paying for various services,” Ntewewe said.
“This could be a tip of the ice berg, how do they justify the payment of close to K500, 000 to each and every guest appearing on their programmes for a mere one hour?”
Ntewewe demanded that Finance Minister Alex Chikwanda addresses the nation on the funding of the work of the Technical Committee.
“This process lacks transparency and it is therefore likely to fail, it appears some people are now using this process as a cash machine,” he said.
When reached for a comment, Technical Committee Spokesman Simon Kabanda said he could not comment on the revelations but promised to call back when he is furnished with details.
During the NCC process, Mr. Kabanda then as Executive Secretary of the then vocal Citizens Forum refused to accept a K250, 000 transport refund for appearing on a TV programme on ZNBC.
Mr. Kabanda who was a strong critic of the NCC process had said the payment was abuse of national resources because he did not understand how they could pay him K250, 000 when his house was not far from Mass Media, the building that houses ZNBC studios.
I now see why 5 year olds are the most convinced that they can ‘drive a car’, even more so than a 20 year old who knows he cannot if he has not learned…irony!
Lusakatimes, this Kabanda chap exemplifies the more money in your pocket doctrine of these UPPs . For starters, can you give us the “before” photo of this UPP.
The last part is interesting. Kabanda refused to get the money: “abuse of resources”. A member of YALI received the payment and yet saying: “This is the worst case of abuse of national resources.” The YALI statement is surely a sponsored statement, if it wasn’t YALI would have refused to get the money in the first place.
Why would you pay someone US$100 for appearing on a radio talkshow….. this can only happen in Zambia where we are led by the uneducated grandfathers who want to plunder national resources before they die.
But why are we still struggling to come-up with a constitution that people want? Almost 50-years of our independence we still are failing to come up with the supreme law of the land why? A country like South Africa negotiated & drafted a constitution under very difficult circumstances. I have to say the PF is showing signs of what has bee done in the past…How pathetic.
At a time when people at Mapatizya mine are getting paid K200,000 for working for 30days (hard labour and not just talking), Government is paying a few people K900,000 for talking for 2 hours. That is so inconsiderate and inhuman. Well done YALI. Maintain your stance and be vigilant
There is a wastage of public resources and TC is deliberately delaying this process. look at the expensive vehicles that these people are driving. where did they get the money? The constitution-making process is a money making venture. Sebastian Zulu has been dropped for standing with the people yet the Kabandas are making lots of cash on this process. YALI u the only CSO that is standing on moral grounds. TIZ and the rest are falling apart and Lifuka is busy dipping his hand in public purse. I commend u for getting the cash but u should have displayed it at Muvi TV or ZNBC. This is looting of resources. How can I be paid K450pin for standing up to speak and demand of my democratic rights? worse the money is coming from taxpayers. Shame!!!!!!
I still contend that this exercise will drain a lot of resources that can go iin other productive areas. If some of that money can go to empower school dropouts with enterprises, what a gain compared to going to TV show! There are many areas that money could be of necessary use than now. CC is a money spinner for its members. We have had constitution so many years in Zambia. There has been so many submissions! What the hell go on wasting money into this bottomless CC?
Kasanda useless chap with pama fi.it just show what you did during mmd rule is hate for the partyyet you found it fit now to get more.maybe your house has moved to chingola.again fake kabanda
Ok, bloggers, what is the reasonable rate that should be paid to each of the person featured on the program when Super sport pays a soccer analyst appearing per program R4000 which equivalent to KZM 2,400, 000?
Another add on, has the committee made know how many programs/shows will be aired? At least then we can work out the total cost of inviting these people on the program and make a good conclusion.
It was budgeted for! :) Nothing wrong with throwing away the money like that if that’s what it was meant for!
Im glad uncle Ukwa has finally agreed to hold his first ever press conference where all these issues will be clarified…
Sata and Kabanda have no spine and morals! What makes this right now when it was all wrong under MMD?