TENSION IS SIMMERING IN UPND
…they over promised but things are not happening – Fr Chikoya
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
THERE seems to be tension simmering in the UPND, observes Fr Emmanuel Chikoya.
Fr Chikoya, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary, says the cost of living is the biggest challenge for the UPND and “I think they over promised and people expect a lot of things but things are not happening.”
Reflecting on now the UPND’s performance thus far, Fr Chikoya observed that the police seem to be still scared of political cadres.
“Cadres are still insulting us. What I saw on state television of cadres is uncalled for and the police were there but could not do anything. But if it was [PF central committee member Raphael] Nakacinda he would have been lifted.
There seems to be tension simmering in the UPND. We should not have a honeymoon period and only get back to being beaten by cadres,” he said.
Fr Chikoya was however quick to state that so far “we are much better”.
He noted several areas of concern that need to be addressed by the UPND government such as constitutional reforms, amendments to archaic laws such as the public order Act and the fight against corruption.
Fr Chikoya, who is also Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) head, said the fight against corruption was haphazard.
“The fight against corruption is not being done properly. It is haphazard and there is a strong belief that it is political persecution. There is need to change. There is also need not to play to the gallery. They should keep silent until there is prosecution. However, the fight against corruption must go on and not to be left to another government,” he said.
On infrastructure development, Fr Chikoya said the government should not wait for public-private-partnerships to work on deplorable roads
especially in rural areas.
“The bottom line is to improve the lives of the poor people and whatever they (UPND) say won’t matter to the poor people in Shangombo. The issue of PPPs may leave some people behind which is contrary to the agenda of not leaving anyone behind,” he said. “Yes the roads must be done,
but the poor need urgent access to health care facilities and we as a Church will not spare them (UPND) when they say they will wait for
PPPs.”
On communication, Fr Chikoya observed with sadness the poor connectivity even just 30 kilometres out of Lusaka.
He said communication was muddy and blared.
“We need cost effective and very efficient internet connectivity and communication. On constitutional reforms we see relaxation. Today they say something and late they drag their legs. I think they over promised and people expect a lot of things but things are not happening,” Fr Chikoya noted.
He said the biggest challenge being faced by the UPND is the high cost of living.
Fr Chikoya said Zambians do not need good people, but want a good Constitution.
“We pray for our President Hakainde Hichilema and all our leaders,” said Fr Chikoya.
