Councils running markets, bus stations

CLAIMS that Patriotic Front (PF) cadres have hijacked markets and bus stations across Lusaka City are totally incorrect because all trading places in the city are managed by the Lusaka City Council, says Lusaka City Mayoral PF aspiring candidate Francis Muchemwa.

And Mr Muchemwa vowed to remain a loyal member of PF even if he was not adopted for the upcoming Lusaka mayoral by-election but he urged the PF Central Committee to respect the will of the people when making their selection.

Speaking when he featured on Live 97.3 FM Radio in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Muchemwa said the local authority was in control of all the markets and bus stations.

He said even revenue collection was solely done by the local authority.

“It’s not true that PF supporters are controlling the markets and bus stations across the city. It’s the responsibility of the Lusaka City Council and they are doing just that,” he said.

He however admitted that the Council was not doing enough to address the challenges facing traders such as lack of water and sanitation, a situation he pledged to rectify once elected.

Mr Muchemwa was commenting on concerns raised during the programme suggesting that some trading places in Lusaka were poorly managed mainly due to political interference in the operations of the council.

And Mr Muchemwa said he had always been a loyal member of PF since 2004 and would remain so.

He said even if he was not adopted he would continue to be loyal to the party and President Edgar Lungu because party was bigger than an individual.

Mr Muchemwa however said there was need for PF to adopt a candidate who had been loyal to the party and President Edgar Lungu.

He said the party should consider a candidate who was respected within and outside the party.

Whether I am adopted or not I will still be a loyal PF member like I have always been. The signal is there,” said Mr Muchemwa.

Mr Muchemwa’s candidature was welcomed by over 95% of the callers who participated during the programme as most of them kept on addressing him as incoming mayor.

The callers also pledged to vote for him whether he would stand on PF ticket or not.