State warns civil servants

State warns civil servants
Mansa, May 22, 2013, ZANIS…. Government says it
will not hesitate to fire civil servants who are frustrating efforts to implement developmental projects in the country.

And government has directed the public media to explain its policies
and programmes to the general public so that they make informed
decisions.

Information and Broadcasting Service deputy minister Mwansa Kapeya
said government has ambitious programmes such as the construction of
roads, schools and health centres which he said civil servants have to
promote and not block the implementation process.

The Minister who is on a familiarization tour of media houses in
Luapula and Northern Provinces said government is aware of the
existence of some civil servants who are frustrating its
efforts.

He said civil servants have a duty to implement developmental policies
and programmes of government as they are the engine of development.

Speaking when he toured the Provincial offices of the Zambia News and
Information Services (ZANIS) in Mansa, Mr. Kapeya said government is
in the process of equipping and recruiting staff in ZANIS offices in all
the districts countrywide.

He however warned against misuse of equipment saying government
will not tolerate non performers in the system.

He said the public media are the mouth piece of government in
explaining programmes to the people especially those in very remote areas
who have no access to information.

He said the media can only explain government policies better if they
are educated and informed on issue taking place in the country.

And ZANIS head of maintenance in Mansa Saulosi Zulu
said the department is facing challenges that range from erratic
funding, lack of equipment to low staffing levels.

Mr. Zulu said despite the challenges, ZANIS is performing its duties
of informing the public on government programmes and that of providing
other services.

He commended the deputy minister and the PF government for its efforts in
improving the operations of ZANIS in the province.

The deputy minister later toured the Catholic Church owned Radio Yangeni,
K – FM radio and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation transmitters.

During his tour of community radio stations in Mansa, Mr Kapeya urged management to
comply with the ethics of broadcasting and also help government reach
out to people in rural areas.

He warned that government will not tolerate media houses that are
operating like political parties by always criticizing government
without substantial reasons.

He noted that some political parties are in the habit of criticizing government on various issues without concrete reasons and without offering solutions to the problems.

The deputy minister is tomorrow expected to feature on a special one-hour
radio programme at radio yangeni to explain the removal of maize and
fuel subsidies by government.