PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance to address the challenged being encountered by the people obtaining National Registration Cards (NRCs).
President Lungu has received reports of the challenges that people were facing when obtaining the NRCs in most centres, which include limited material and minimal period of time spent in a given area by officers from the national registration department.
“I have directed the line ministries to ensure that they iron out these challenges to enable as many people as possible to obtain the NRCs. I have directed the Ministry of Finance to find the money needed for the programme to ensure that there are enough materials needed for the programme,” Mr Lungu said.
The President said this in Mbabala in Choma district yesterday when he met two traditional leaders, Chief Chikanta, Chief Mukobela and Chief Macha’s representative headman Charles Chikapata.
The President was in Choma to launch the electronic voucher (e-voucher) system under the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2015/16 farming seasons.
He dispelled rumours that his administration was giving priority to the Patriotic Front (PF) strongholds in the issuance of NRCs and voter’s registration.
“I will not favor one area in preference to the other, or to favour area which is PF stronghold against those that enjoy support from the opposition political parties. I am above that, the choice is for the people to choose a leader of their choice and may the best candidate win in 2016,” he said.
He appealed to the traditional leaders to help sensitise people on the need to register during the voter registration exercise.
President Lungu assured the chiefs of continued support as he was the President for the nation and not for PF only.
Speaking on behalf of other traditional leaders, Chief Chikanta welcomed the President and confirmed that the voter registration exercise in the area was going on smoothly.
The chief was, however, sad that the issuance of NRCs was marred with challenges.
“The voter registration is going on very well, we normally have a good number of people registering as voters every day in the centres around, the challenge is with the issuing of NRCs. If funds permit they should consider increasing the centres to allow more people obtain the NRCs,” Chief Chikanta said.
He said the chiefs in the area would support his administration as they always work with the Government of the day to support programmes being implemented.
Chief Chikanta also commended President Lungu for appointing United Party for National Development (UPND) Itezhi Tezhi Member of Parliament Greyford Monde as minister for the newly created Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
Am beginning to seriously question the calibre of this man ( His excellency). I know I have never had him in high esteem but now he seems only to respond to nonsense and trivial matters urgently but wont even dare come to necessary arguments his citizens have about lively hood , and economy and state of the country. There is something very wrong here. He should shut up about all issues if he wont address the important ones. Please ba Lungu. Come around in real life. You are a president not a cadre. Thanks
In this instance, the President responded to a concern raised by the Chiefs; If he means what he said, hopefully, he will no be tactfully ignored, those are the assurances people need to hear from the Republic President followed by positive action. Kambwili or Chama would have told them to mind their cows!
@Cat Power,I thought he covered the challenges the country is going through in his speech at parliament? This hatred you have for the president will not take you anywhere.
@ cat power
Where does the nation economy gets it strength from? I am starting to believe that most of you twits talking about economy literally understands little about corporate economics . Your understanding of economics is such that to improve it one has to be talking in economical terms. Economics is in everything we do, hear and see. Anything that affects your living is economics not a course you study at university. Do you know why in nearly all fields of study there is a component of economics. Fooolish boy
@Change-In your myopic air head,yes he covered them not uncovered & you are seeing these salient issues addressed in your invisible Zambia!Get a life & be radical in your analysis of fundamental national development issues!
@Civilsed Sam…you can’t just debate minus insulting me by labelling me as being narrow minded just because I hold divergent views from yours?Mr Tayali further said that UPND is a party that is so intolerant of divergent views, adding that differing with the Party in opinion attracts attracts insults and violence and told the Party that they must realise that they cannot threaten or beat people to vote for them.
“The UPND must realize that they cannot threaten or beat people to vote for them, rather they irritate people and which brings hatred of the Party making them lose elections other than the rigging they talk about, ” he said.
Iwe change wat did lungu address u *** cader we are loosing jobs mu mine ati he adressed the issues.am I going to feed my children out of nice empty words*******
I think its a waste of time paying attention to what ECL says. Clearly the man is out of touch and very blank
This man has nothing better to do. He is always looking for the chance to go campaign. Honestly does the entire President have to fly to Choma to launch a payment system. Cant a PS do this or the Minister. Let him call for elections so that he can maybe do some serious work.
We are talking about costs involved when he travels just see how many Government officials traveled to Choma for this launch. Now his wife is in Saudi Arabia with over 40 Government officials claiming over $600 per day allowances.
The corrupt and incompetent PF regime is always creating crises and difficulties for the people.Why should NRC and voter registration be so difficult to do?I think the PF is taking people for granted; there are too many statements on these matters from Chishimba Kambwili,Davies Chama and Mumbi Phiri.Edgar Lungu should control his unruly PF cadres before they paralyse GRZ operations.
When people talk about ‘selective’ issuance of NRCs and voters cards, it is real. Why should materials run out in opposition strongholds only? But whatever reason behind this,zambians are feeling the worst of the economy ever and are ready to kickout pf in 2016.
Bwafya
Supper glue, I knew you would do that to me . Job weldone.