Kambwili:Zambia Not In Crisis Over Constitution

Minister of Youth and Sport Chishimba Kambwili has castigated Kapiri Mposhi district council for delaying the implementation of the electrification of houses under a World Bank programme.
And Kambwili says Zambia is not in a constitutional crisis.
Speaking when he addressed youths in Kapiri Mposhi at Peniel Lodge on Friday, Kambwili said he was aware that the local authority was charging Kapiri Mposhi residents K250 per household before Zesco could electrify their houses.
Kambwili accused some workers at Kapiri Mposhi district council of being UPND sympathizers.
He charged that some employees at the local authority were frustrating government efforts.
“I am reliably informed that Zesco has partnered with the World Bank and have come up with a project to electrify houses in compounds in Kapiri Mposhi at a fee of K150. I am also reliably informed that some council workers are UPND and want to frustrate the PF government. They are charging Kapiri residents K250 per household to have their houses connected to Zesco power,” Kambwili said. “People are yearning for development and we re not going to allow that. Don’t frustrate government efforts. If we catch up with you, we will deal with you. I can assure you that heads will roll; we will fire you. If you want to sabotage government, we will deal with you. Government has a responsibility to defend the people. That arrangement of people paying K250 for electricity is null and void. Go and tell the town clerk or council secretary; no one will pays K250.”
Kambwili added that the country was not in a constitutional crisis.
“People agitating for the removal of the PF government in two years are not being reasonable. We are a very reasonable government. Political propaganda will not take this country anywhere,” Kambwili said. “Opposition political parties talking about the constitution are just confusing the people. They want to divert the people’s attention from developmental issues. Constitution-making process should not be done at the expense of development.”
Meanwhile, Kambwili said the youth empowerment fund should not be politicised.
“Youths are important stakeholders in the process of national development. The youth empowerment fund should benefit all youths, regardless of their political affiliation. This money should benefit rural youths as long as they have bankable business plans or projects,” he said. “The MMD politicised the youth empowerment fund and that is why they failed to recover most of the money they were giving to youths around the country. People that will misappropriate the youth empowerment fund will be prosecuted. Use this money prudently to your expectation. The PF is a government of integrity.”
Kambwili added that the government was committed to addressing youth unemployment.
“During campaigns we promised the people that we are going to create employment opportunities for youths,” said Kambwili. “As PF government, we are still committed to addressing youth unemployment. I will soon be launching a strategic plan aimed at addressing youth unemployment.”
By Isaac Zulu