President Sata’s Facebook better than press conferences’

GOVERNMENT says President Sata’s decision to open a Facebook page is an excellent move which will make him share more information than he can through press conferences.
Acting chief Government spokesperson Fackson Shamenda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Zambians have been crying out to President Sata to hold press conferences but he has opted to join Facebook for him to share more information and be in touch with citizens at all times.
Mr Shamenda, who is Minister of Labour and Social Security, said
President Sata wants to interact with all Zambians and the opening of a Facebook page is one way of sharing information with the citizens.
On Friday, President Sata opened a Facebook page which saw him have more than 9,500 likes in six hours. By yesterday, the number had risen to over 20,000.
“The President has his own way of doing things which all Zambians must appreciate. The decision to join Facebook is an excellent move by the boss because what he has done and the information which will be found on his page is more than holding press conferences people have been crying out for,” Mr Shamenda said.
He said President Sata has decided to join Facebook because he means well for Zambia and he should be supported by all well-meaning citizens.
Mr Shamenda said the President is doing things systematically because he cannot do everything at the same time.
And Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka youth chairperson Kennedy Kamba said in a separate interview that President Sata’s decision is welcome because it will help him interact with Zambians of all ages.
Mr Kamba said Facebook will help the citizens present their grievances directly to President Sata and at the same time help the President exchange his ideas with Zambians.
He said Zambians want to talk to the head of State but they do not have access to him but now they will be able to do so through Facebook.
“This is a very good move by the President and as Lusaka Province youths we are in support of his decision,” Mr Kamba said.
He said ministers should emulate President Sata in communicating through Facebook.
“Our challenge goes to Cabinet ministers who are not on Facebook to emulate President Sata and join the social media,” he said.
Mr Kamba said Facebook will help the ministers to communicate with the people in their constituencies while they are conducting government duties in Lusaka.
He said, however, that citizens should not use President Sata’s Facebook page to insult him but use it to air their grievances to help him govern the country for the betterment of all.
“Let’s take this opportunity to appeal to the opposition parties and citizens who are bent on insulting the President and Government not to use this well-intended move to demean him. Let’s all unite and use his Facebook page to share with him our problems and successes as well,” Mr Kamba said.
Zambians have continued to congratulate President Sata, through the Facebook page, for going online.
Frederick Kapela says: “This is indeed a welcome move, more especially to us youths.”
Ernest Katodika said it is an honour to have President Sata on Facebook because it will give Zambians an opportunity to reach him and share common views on and great passion for Zambia.
Misheck Banda said: “Thanks Mr President for this because it has been so hard for people to get through to you.”

 Daily Mail