Kabwe Diocese Anglican Church Bishop, Derrick Kamukwamba has urged President Michael Sata and his government to fulfill the campaign promises made to the people of Zambia prior to the September 20 general elections last year.
Bishop Kamukwamba said government should commence the implementation of programs and desist from character assassination which has lately taken root in Zambia.
He was speaking during the Mother’s Union Mary’s Day commemoration held at St George congregation, Anglican Church in Kabwe.
He said Zambians were waiting fervently on the campaign promises such as increased salaries for civil servants, reintroduction of windfall tax, and creation of more job opportunities, especially for the youths among others.
The Bishop Kamukwamba has also called on President Sata to explain to the Zambian people if things have changed, so that people can understand what is happening rather than keeping quiet when people are eagerly waiting for the fulfillment of the campaign promises.
He also expressed concern at the stance the PF government has taken in defining a cadre and appointing them in higher decision-making positions.
Bishop Kamukwamba said there is need to have professionals in the civil service to ensure they deliver to the expectation of the people.
He added that there must be a clear distinction between politicians, civil servants, political parties and government in order for the country to function well.
He said government ministries should deliver to the community and not wait upon the president to give a directive for them to carry out their duties.
Bishop Kamukwamba cited a case of Robiana Muteka, a Livingstone man suffering from suspected Spina Bafita, which he said did not require the President to make a directive for the Ministry of Health to work on him when professionals should have decided earlier.
He also called upon the PF government to ensure that the judicial system is effective in the dispensation of its duties.
Bishop Kamukwamba said there is need for stiffer laws especially for the perpetrators of Gender Based Violence and that all forms of injustice against women and children be met with stiffer punishment.
He noted that the 10 Commandments, upon which President Sata pledged to rule the nation during his inaugural speech, has strict rules which the President must stick to for the people to continue have confidence in him.
However, Bishop Kamukwamba has commended government for the bold step they have taken on the fight against corruption and for taking back the Abuse of Authority Clause to Par liament.
Bishop Kamukwamba said government should now ensure that the political will trickles down to all sectors so that people charged with public responsibilities are accountable for their actions while serving in public offices.
Meanwhile, Central Province Minister, Phillip Kosamu, has urged the church to set up training courses with Christian basis in rural areas in order to effectively fight cases against children and women.
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Luke Mankapi, Mr Kosamu called on the Church to partner with government in fighting Gender Based Violence thereby re-examining its approach to needs and issues that affect children and women within the community
He said the church should remain a strong partner to government in the provision of social services to the community and devise a system through which fora aimed at mitigating different forms of abuse against women and children can be discussed.
Mr Kosamu however, expressed gratitude towards the Anglican Church in Zambia for the continued commitment exhibited over the years in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
He said government took prime interest in working with the Church and other organizations that are interested to partnering with it to foster development in the country.
He called on other Church-based organizations and NGOs to emulate the Anglican Church in fighting issues such as Gender-Based Violence, HIV/AIDS and corruption even as they preach the Gospel.
ZANIS