UPND disowns violent cadres
THE on-going mayoral election campaign in Lusaka has generated a great deal of interest particularly that some bigwigs from some political parties have staked the claim.
It is hoped that the clamouring for the position is a manifestation of the urgent need to resolve the teething problems that have become perennial in the capital city.
All the candidates have been bubbling with confidence that they will carry the day and quickly get to work. Well, only one contestant carries the day.
With senior members in the race such as UNIP Secretary-General Reverend Alfred Banda and UPP President Saviour Chishimba, residents in Lusaka and Zambians elsewhere expect maximum maturity in the campaign.
Other candidates in this race are musician Mundia Mukubesa otherwise known as Petersen of PAC, UPND’s Kangwa Chileshe, Miles Sampa of PF, RPP’s Lesley Chikuse, Saboi Imboela of NDC, Malitso Musukwa of UPPZ and NAREP`s Bwalya Nondo
Lusaka is dogged with a myriad of problems most of which recur in the rain season such as floods that result in displacement of families and devastating cholera.
Population explosion in the capital city has had off-shoots including high crime levels, poverty, rising unemployment, congestion of both motorists and pedestrians and mushrooming of unplanned settlements.
Poor sanitation has had its own share!
Thus candidates vying for the executive position of the city must be replete with information relating to this coveted office.
They must be familiar with the provisions of the Local Government Act and Statutory Instruments pertaining to local governance.
Their campaign messages should be appropriate and not full of hot air.
It is surprising however that some candidates have been propounding matters that do not fall under the office of the mayor.
For instance, they speak about improving water supply without explaining how they would collaborate with the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company.
They speak about water reticulation as though it is still under the council.
They ought to appreciate that Lusaka City Council (LCC) has been overwhelmed with operational challenges and also faced with deep financial malaise.
The council itself has been struggling to finance the payroll; workers are demotivated while the relationship between top management staff and unionised workers is somewhat that of cat-and-mouse.
As a starting point, the in-coming mayor must create cohesion between councillors and chief officers to ensure that the two segments move in tandem.
Secondly, there will be need to heal the wounds created by mistrust between top management and workers under the Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU).
Many a time, squabbles within a council form an ugly pattern, throwing operations in disarray. Councillors tend to pit themselves against the principal officer – Town Clerk.
In many instances councillors who are not full-time employees, take up responsibilities which do not fall under their ambit.
Candidates, therefore, should come clean on these matters and assure the electorate that they are capable of blending well with professionals in the council; that they will not work to intimidate and frustrate full-time council employees.
It is also important that the city mayor remains objective although the sponsorship comes from a political party.
They should serve the interests of residents from all the seven constituencies without any tinge of bias.
In fact, public service is not about what an elected individual will get out of the institution, but what that elected official will contribute firstly to the institution and secondly to the city at large.
Lusaka is not only a capital city, but it is also the seat of Government and the mirror of the country.
It is the first contact point as dignitaries from other countries arrive in the country.
Therefore, there should not be any excitement about getting into the top city position, but there should be enthusiasm to offer selfless service to the people.