Sata woos Mkaika voters

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has urged the electorate in Mkaika Constituency in Katete District to vote for Patriotic Front (PF) candidate David Phiri to ensure smooth implementation of developmental projects.
Mr Sata, who held two public rallies in Mkaika yesterday, told hundreds of residents ahead of voting on Thursday this week that Government would accelerate development easily with a member of Parliament (MP) from the ruling party.
The Head of State, who was drumming up support for Mr Phiri, said opposition MPs would fail to help the Government perform well.
He said it would be easier to work with the ruling party candidate.
Speaking at Chitende and Omelo Mumba grounds, Mr Sata said Mkaika had continued to lag behind in development because the electorate had chosen to work with the opposition who failed to deliver once voted as Parliamentarians.
“I have brought Mr Phiri here and I want to work with him to accelerate development in this area, so it is entirely up to you the voters to lag behind or you give me a person I can work with to develop this area,” he said.
Mr Sata said the PF was geared to bring development to the nation and wanted to work with MPs who would help achieve its goals and vision for Zambia.
He said the MMD, under its leader Nevers Mumba, had failed to effectively represent the people in its constituencies.
He charged that Dr Mumba had issues with the Church and had continued to mislead his members.
“That is why I urge you to vote for a ruling party candidate so that we can work together. Look at these children here, they did not choose to continue living under poor conditions, so let us work together so that we can improve the welfare of our children and that of the country,” he said.
Mr Sata thanked the people for the high turnout and promised them that the ruling party would not disappoint them in terms of fostering development.
He said Katete, like other places, needed improved health, education and road infrastructure, and pledged to continue on the right path that the PF had continued to follow.
Mr Sata said the PF needed to establish its presence in Eastern Province, adding that currently there was only one MP, Joseph Lungu of Msanzala Constituency.
And Mufumbwe MP, Stephen Masumba said he resigned from the MMD because it had failed the people and that working with President Sata had proved beneficial in terms of driving development.
“We need you people of Mkaika to vote for Mr Phiri so that we can develop together. He left the MMD like I did because he realised that there was nothing in that party. They failed you for 20 years and what is it that they can do for you that they did not do then?” Mr Masumba said.
The President was accompanied by Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Emmanuel Chenda, Education, Science, Vocational and Early Education Minister, John Phiri, Edgar Lungu for Home Affairs and party officials.
The MMD is fielding Peter Phiri while UNIP is floating Nelson Mwale, with the National Restoration Party featuring Nigel Mphakateni in the Mkaika contest.