Katuba candidates confident

THE seven aspiring candidates in the forthcoming by-election in Katuba Constituency are bubbling with confidence and have pledged to address people’s aspirations once voted into office.
Former area member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa, now contesting on the UPND ticket, said he was going to emerge victorious as he had an upper hand over his opponents because he once served as area MP.
Mr Shakafuswa said in an interview that people wanted him to finish the projects he had left unfinished.
Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Moses Chilando said he would develop the area to the satisfaction of the electorate.
“I have lived in this area for a very long time and I know where the problems are. I have been to all the wards,” Mr Chilando said.
Joseph Mushalika, who is contesting on the National Restoration Party (NAREP) ticket, said the party was going to ensure that it changed the people’s mindset for them to economically liberate themselves as they had the power to do so.
“We are focused on discussing the message of increasing people’s participation in development, and also the message of ensuring that every Zambian begins to see that we owe it to ourselves to see the change that we want to see, “Mr Mushalika said.
Alliance for a Better Zambia (ABZ)’s Patricia Mwashingwele said: “having filed in successfully, we are telling you that this is the first seat ABZ is going to have. It is our first seat in Parliament.”
She cited health, education, the road network and food security as the areas she wanted to focus on once elected as MP.
UNIP’s Friday  Malawo said he stood a good chance of winning.
“At least there is no one that can actually claim to have dominance in the area, so I really rate my chances quite very high being a young person,” he said.
Shakespeare Mwakamui, who is standing on National Revolution Party (NRP), said he was one of the residents who had experienced suffering in the constituency as all the previous MPs had allegedly failed to address the challenges the area faced.
“All those who were coming here didn’t do anything to please the people of Katuba and that’s why I thought of contesting here so that we can do something good for the people of Katuba,” he said.
MMD’s Cecil Holmes said he would improve the road leading to Chieftainess Mungule’s palace.
Mr Holmes said he would also address the water shortage problem.
The by-election will be held on February 25, 2014.
The seat fell vacant after the death of MMD lawmaker Patrick Chikusu, who was Health deputy minister.