Thu, 15 Feb 2018 09:49:20 +0000
By ROGERS KALERO
TWO councillors were on Monday sent away by Kitwe district commissioner (DC) Binwell Mpundu for showing up late for an emergency meeting.
The meeting was convened to discuss the way forward after President Edgar Lungu had expressed displeasure at the poor service delivery by the Kitwe City Council.
Mr Mpundu told Bulangililo ward councillor Charles Mutale and his Mindolo ward counterpart Samuel Nkhoma to go back because they had come late when they were aware that the meeting would be held at 15.00 hours.
The meeting was attended by Lubwa ward councillor Godfridah Chulu, Itimpi ward councillor Mpasa Mwaya, Chimwemwe ward councillor Sebastian Munkonge, Riverside ward councillor Chando Mbao, heads of government institutions and quasi-government governments institutions.
The Mr Mpundu said it was a clear indication of lack of seriousness for councillors to report late for an important emergency meeting which was called after the President had expressed displeasure at the incompetence and inefficiencies of the local authority.
“Councillors, you are late, you cannot attend this meeting. Just go back. This is the laissez-faire attitude ‘‘am talking about. You know the meeting is starting at 15.00 hours, but you come after 30 minutes. As DC, I will not entertain this attitude,” Mr Mpundu said.
Mr Mpundu, who was clearly in an uncompromising mood after he and other DCs and mayors were summoned by provincial Minister Bowman Lusambo warned the management at the council to stop the laissez-faire attitude or resign to pave way for those who were ready to work.
He said he was ready to differ with any director at the council who was frustrating the government efforts because the President had sternly warned him after seeing the filth and dirt at Nakadoli market. “After the President toured Nakadoli market, he was very annoyed with me. I would have been fired. I survived by a whisker. Let me tell you that for your inefficiencies as a council, I take the whip, but I think now, this is the last stroke I will be taking on your behalf “I will make sure that you do your jobs and those who fail to do their jobs should be replaced. I am ready to differ with anybody in the course of ensuring that each and every one of you does his or her job.
“Madam Director of Finance, if it is you who is delaying the completion of that shelter at Chisokone market, tukapusana, we will differ,” Mr Mpundu said.
Mr Mpundu also said it was unacceptable that a shelter at Chisokone market should take three months when it was expected to take only one week.
“You can see that there is a problem here at the council. I know you say I talk too much, but I think I should pursue matters to their logical conclusions.
“That shelter project at Chisokone market which was only expected to take one week, it has now taken three months. As DC, I cannot tolerate this nonsense. Tell me which director is not doing his or her job, then I will deal with him or her,” he charged .
