Kafwaya expressed personal views – Mundubile

 By MUBITA KATETE

THE views expressed by Mutotwe Kafwaya suggesting that Western Province does not need an international airport do not reflect or indeed represent the position of the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance nor those of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), Brian Mundubile has said.

Mr Mundubile, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate and NRPUP president has clarified that the comments made by Mr Kafwaya were not representative of the alliance and that the former Lunte Member of Parliament has since apologised to the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE).

In a statement issued from Isoka yesterday, Mr Mundubile thanked the Barotse Royal Establishment for according his party an opportunity to clarify its position on the matter.

He said the gesture by the BRE was a demonstration that the traditional leadership’s commitment to dialogue and respect for the right to be heard.

Mr Mundubile said Mr Kafwaya had since apologised for the remarks and that a formal written apology withdrawing the statement unconditionally was on its way.

He assured the people of Western Province that no member of the Tonse Alliance would campaign on a platform aimed at denying development to any part of the country.

“We wish to assure the BRE and the people of Barotseland that no member of the Alliance will campaign on a platform that seeks to deny development to any part of Zambia, including Barotseland,” Mr Mundubile said.

He pledged that once elected, his administration would work closely with traditional leaders to deliver development in a manner that was uniform, consultative and inclusive.

Mr Mundubile said successive governments had made promises to the people of Barotseland which had remained unfulfilled, citing projects such as King Lewanika University and a proposed stadium whose construction had not commenced despite land having been allocated.

He also referred to what he described as disappointments arising from promises made ahead of the 2021 general election and reiterated his commitment to rebuilding trust between political leaders and citizens.

Mr Mundubile said his administration would prioritise roads, livestock development, employment opportunities for local people, education and agriculture in the region.

“Together with my team, we promise to transform Barotseland and transform Zambia,” he said.Uphold professionalism, competency, Kangwa counsels civil servants CIVIL servants must change their approach to handling government programmes to ensure development reaches citizens on time, says Secretary to Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa.

Mr. Kangwa has expressed hope that with the introduction of the Public Service Competence Development and Certification Strategy, public service workers will change their approach in handling government programmrs.

Mr Kangwa explained that the strategy will equip public servants with the skills required to effectively implement government programmes.

He was speaking at the launch of the Strategy in Lusaka in a speech read for him by Deputy Secretary to cabinet, Dr. Oliver Kalabo,

Mr Kangwa said the Public Service Competence Development and Certification Strategy will ensure that all public service employees undergo structured training through the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), while officers in local authorities will be trained through the Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute.

 “Government has implemented several public sector reforms, including strengthening public financial management systems, procurement reforms and oversight mechanisms, to promote transparency and accountability,” he said.

He said capacity building remains critical to improving the quality of services delivered to the people, adding that civil servants are at the centre of government’s public service reforms.

Mr Kangwa also called on all ministries, provinces and public institutions to integrate the objectives of the strategy into their institutional work plans.

Speaking earlier, Germany Cooperation Zambia/EU  Programme Director, Barbara Dutzler reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to supporting the government’s public sector reforms through the good financial governance programme.

Ms Dutzler said the launch of the strategy comes shortly after the commemoration of Africa Public Service Day and reflects the Zambian government’s continued commitment to promoting professionalism and excellence in the public service whilst strengthening management reforms and service delivery.

And Chalimbana Local Government Institute Principal, James Paipi said the newly launched Public Service Competence Development and Certification Strategy will provide training institutions with a clear framework for delivering competency-based training to improve professionalism in the public service.

NIPA Executive Director, Jacob Malungo, Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia Secretary General Nelson Mwale, Public Service Management Division Permanent Secretary Louis Mulube and her counterpart from Management Development Division, Alfred Sakwiya also lauded the strategy.

The Strategy is themed “Enhancing Public Service Competence, Accountability and Service Delivery,”