Sampa pledge loyalty to president Lungu and PF
By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka (27-06-18) The would be now Lusaka Mayor, one Miles Bwalya Sampa has outlined his vision for transforming the city within 100 days and pledged to always remain loyal not only to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) but also to President Edgar Lungu whom he said was a kind and forgiving father of the nation.
Sampa told Journalists when he featured at the PF Interactive Forum held at Chrisma Hotel Wednesday morning that he is highly indebted to president Lungu and the PF family for welcoming him back.
He said during his stay in the “wilderness” he leant many lessons and the greatest of them all is forgiveness.”
He added that if it was not for president Lungu who embraced him, he would not be able to contest the mayoral seat of Lusaka which he said he will win with ease.
“What I don’t know is by how much margin I will defeat my contestants but certainly victory is coming our way as PF.”
Once elected Mayor Sampa said he would love to the retain of law and orders in the great city of Lusaka.
He added that, he will ensure that the laws are not only respected but also enforced all the time saying this will include regulating the way people do businesses in the capital city.
Sampa business activities in Lusaka to be done within the ambits of the laws.
For example Sampa suggested, his plan to create decent trading places for vendor in Lusaka so that, they don’t trade on the streets where there are no sanitary facilities.
He proposed that the council will identify some of middle ways within the city which will allocated to vendors who will not be accommodated in the markets being constructed in Lusaka.
“Within a period of hundred days the city of Lusaka will be completely changes from it’s outlook today.”
He also said the council will procure the bins where people will be throwing garbage to avoid saying these will be collected once a week using council garbage collection vehicles.
Sampa also promised that the council under his charge will procure new buses for the purpose of not improving the transport system but also create businesses for youth.
He said all the buses that will be located in all the seven constituency that will be bound by time zone.
He said in an effort of decongest the city of Lusaka the will council will reproduce an inter constituency train that will operate along the new buses.
He also suggested that that under his reign as Mayor for Lusaka, he will work with business house whom he said will be encouraged to do social corporate responsible to support the communities where they are doing their businesses.
Sampa also said the council under his reign as a mayor will take the administration of markets and stations.
He said everywhere in the world, the council has a duty to ensure that the bus station and markets are properly administered.
He said at the moment, there is an active matter in courts where some citizens have gone to seek redress over the administration of market.
“This problem will be addressed administratively to the satisfaction of all parties involved taking into consideration the efforts already done by both parties.”
Sampa said he establish the call centres similar to one used by the police to enhance communication between the Council and Lusaka residents.
Sampa will also introduce free WiFi in bus stops, train stations and airport, including public places to make electronic communication channels easier for the residents
He also suggested that there will be improved health services delivery under the council to carter for the health needs of the residents.
Sampa will also ensure that the process of issuing of tittle deeds to all houses in Lusaka is done is done expeditiously.
He stated that a house is a major asset which should enable the owner to access bank loans as houses could be used as collateral for a bank loan. He stated that to this effect, computerisation and valuation of houses would be done.
Sampa also regretted that the biggest problem the city of Lusaka is facing today is that there is no more land for development.
To get over this problem Sampa said his council will work with sisters councils in the district, including Choongwe, Chilanga and Kafue on exchange basis.
He said the Lusaka council will export the services to those councils in exchange of land which will be used as a damping site.
Meanwhile Sampa said he is greatly indebted to the PF family for not only embracing him but also adopting him to contest the mayoral by election in Lusaka.
He said once elected mayor, he will embrace all the people, including those that alienated him when he temporarily left the party.
As a recipient of embrace from the PF family and president Lungu, my hands are open to those who abandoned him when he was in the wilderness,” Sampa said.
He also pledged continued loyalty to president Lungu for as along as he live.