We re united, say Copperbelt MPs

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:00:24 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

WE will not tolerate people instigating divisions and infighting among parliamentarians and the party structures on the Copperbelt, Bwana Mkubwa MP Jonas Chanda has warned. 

Dr Chanda said the party would not entertain people bringing up imaginary divisions because all the 20 MPs were united and behind the leadership of President Edgar Lungu.

Dr Chanda, who is secretary for a caucus of the Copperbelt MPs, said media reports alleging that Ndola Central MP Emmanuel Mulenga and his Chifubu counterpart Frank Ng’ambi had ganged up against Copperbelt Province Minister Bowman Lusambo as the duo were sponsoring the anti-Lusambo schemes were false.

He said the caucus was not aware of any manoeuvres by Mr. Mulenga and Mr. Ng’ambi to undermine Mr. Lusambo as provincial minister.

All the concerned MPs were members of the caucus and that if such differences were real, the concerned individuals would have brought them to the attention of the caucus.

He said the caucus meeting last week met and resolved to rally behind the leadership of President Lungu and the PF Government and that it called for unity among MPs.

“There are media reports going on alleging divisions among some Ndola MPs and Mr. Lusambo. I wish to state that we are not aware of any manoeuvres or plans to undermine the provincial minister. At no time have such differences been reported to the caucus and none of the MPs or the minister himself brought up that issue during our meeting in Lusaka last week,” Dr. Chanda said.

He thanked President Lungu for having sent Minister of Presidential Affairs Freedom Sikazwe to Ndola two weeks ago to meet with various stakeholders such as the Provincial Minister, all Ndola-based MPs, as well as the Copperbelt permanent secretary, the district commissioner, the mayor and Town Clerk to resolve some differences.

Meanwhile, Dr Chanda has condemned attempts by certain political players to drag the Lamba chiefs into petty political fights, reiterating that all Copperbelt MPs held the Lamba Royal Establishment in highest esteem.