MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu should get out of his ivory tower.

He may have been delusional, thinking that the Patriotic Front (PF) should forget about winning even a single seat in Eastern Province from the by-elections that will be held this year but locals see the province slowly evolving and trying to embrace good and accountable governance.

At this juncture, they need problem-solvers as much as the province needs visionary Members of Parliament (MPs). What is unfolding now in the MMD guarantees neither.
Travelling by road into the interior of Eastern Province gives a snapshot of several infrastructure developmental projects – scores actually – showcasing schools, hospitals, health centers, and new districts with hallmarks to have been launched by the current administration; but also a snapshot of MMD’s legacy of awful roads, unemployed young people, women and children toiling hard to make ends meet – with poverty boldly written on their faces.
Among them are those who live in Kasenengwa, Malambo, Petauke and Vubwi, traditional strongholds of the main opposition the MMD.

They are upset with and MMD politicians. But are hopeful that things will change and are determined to vote during the forthcoming parliamentary by-elections this year.

For them, the PF government
would deliver jobs for youths who have been unemployed since they graduated from colleges and universities.

The by-elections will bring again, cup-clapping MMD politicians with promises to provide that which they cannot deliver, since they are no longer in power. Locals have been disappointed by MMD vote-seekers before, yet they still want to vote because their vote is their power for change.

Mubanga Luchembe,
                           Lusaka