Kitwe Mayor Mwaya, Milupi in spats

By ROGERS KALERO

KITWE Mayor Mpasa Mwaya yesterday afternoon walked out on Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Charles Milupi during the tour of Chibuluma road after telling him that his government was exhibiting the worst form of disorganization in running the country’s affairs.

Ms Mwaya was not impressed that Mr Milupi was in her city to unveil the contractor for the Chibuluma Road without the courtesy of informing or inviting her to be part of the event as the most senior civic leader of Kitwe.

When Ms Mwaya was informed that Mr Milupi was inspecting roads in Kitwe, the Mayor decided to follow the Infrastructure Minister to find out why she had been ignored but was instead told by the government Minister her presence was not needed.

It was at this point that Mayor Mwaya decided walked out on Mr Milupi after the Minister told her that he had the right to choose which office or district he would visit and would not deliver development to, if he do wished

The Minister’s response came after Ms Mwaya bemoaned lack of engagement to her office yet the council was troubled in responding to residents’ cries, mending potholes, doing dust suppression in Chibuluma road and calming them 

Ms Mwaya, who was not informed about the Minister’s tour and was only told later by Town Clerk Patrick Kambita and decided to meet the Mr Milupi and expressed concern why her office was not informed about the Minister’s tour

Ms Mwaya asked if it was because she was from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) that was why each time the Minister was in the district never passes through her office

But, in response, the Mr Milupi said he had the right to choose which office or district he would visit and would not deliver development if he do wished.

The response from the Minister annoyed the Kitwe Mayor who walked out on Mr Milupi but only after telling him that his government was exhibiting the worst ‘Chipante Pante’ kind of government compared to how the PF was running the country.

But, when contacted for a comment, Mr Milupi said the Chibuluma road was not a council project, but a government project and so there was no need to report to the Mayor

Mr Milupi said the new dawn government was working and the people of the Copperbelt were happy that the their government was working hard to deliver on its campaign promises

“I am surprised that the Kitwe Mayor came out the way she came out on Camera, but that is her prerogative and she can say what she wants to say. The new dawn is here to work and deliver on its campaign promises. We will not be distracted,’’ Mr Milupi said

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