George Chellah is misrepresenting State House – MMD

Opposition MMD Youth Wing leader Bowman Lusambo has accused George Chellah of misrepresenting State House.

In a press statement availed to Zambian Eye, May 5, 2014, Lusambo is accusing Chellah who is Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations for President Michael Sata of twisting MMD president Nevers Mumba’s Labour Day celebration statement.

Below is Lusambo’s statement in full:

On Thursday, our beloved President Nevers Sekwila Mumba raised serious concerns over the manner in which President Michael Sata conducted himself at the national Labour Day celebrations in Lusaka.

In the spirit of national interest, Dr Mumba correctly pointed the Presidency to the failure to observe international norms and decorum expected at such occasions of high repute. Dr Mumba further stated that failure to address the assembled workers was testament that President Sata and the PF government lacked a workers agenda.

All Zambians of right thinking minds fully endorsed Dr Mumba’s observation and demanded that President Sata starts conducting himself in a manner befitting his high office.

Other opposition political parties also agreed with Dr Mumba that President Sata is doing a disservice to the working population in particular and to the Zambians in general by failing to articulate his agenda for the Zambian worker.

As expected, State House Spokesperson George Chellah decided to mutilate Dr Mumba’s well-intentioned statement by making desperate attempts to divert attention from the serious issues raised by Dr Mumba.

Mr Chellah went on to produce a half-baked, illogical, immature, unresearched and badly packaged statement attacking Dr Mumba’s persona.

Perhaps unknown to Mr Chellah, he made remarks which further confirms President Sata’s inability to cope with the huge demands of his office.

Mr Chellah in his unusual uncouth manner revealed that President Sata works from 07:30 Hours to 13:00 Hours then breaks off for lunch for an hour and resumes at 14:00 Hours to 18:00 Hours. As MMD youths, we are putting it to Mr Chellah that President Sata should then rank as the least hard working President in the history of Zambia.

Heads of State the world over are known to work very long hours. The late President Levy Mwanawasa despite his poor health is on record as having stayed up late in his office as late as 23 Hours working and holding business meetings.

At the height of the privatization programme, late Dr Frederick Chiluba is said to have stayed in the office until 04 Hours ensuring that this country was on the road to economic recovery.

President Rupiah Banda also traveled the length and breadth of this great country launching, commission and monitoring developmental projects, a clear sign of hard work and commitment to duty.

If President Sata works for 9 Hours according to information supplied by Mr Chellah, we then say to him that President Sata is not working as hard as he should, given the many challenges that Zambia faces.

The Presidency demands total commitment to duty, serious sacrifice on the part of the incumbent and a non-clock watcher.

We know a lot of men and women who are struggling to make ends meet who are forced to work longer hours due to the hardships that President Sata’s administration has brought.

How then could he enjoy the luxury of sleep at 19 Hours when the majority is still hustling to find food as late as 23 Hours? These are the questions a good State House Spokesperson ought to be answering.

Mr Chellah should be communicating positive messages from the Presidency to the citizenry and not hate and venom each time Dr Mumba raises an issue in public interest.

All Dr Mumba asked was a statement of apology from State House over President Sata’s conduct. All he received were insults from Mr. Chellah.

As MMD youths, we wish to register our outmost disappointment and disgust at the level of immaturity and lack of tact exhibited by Mr Chellah since his appointment.

Mr Chellah is the core reason many people lack confidence to employ young people to positions of leadership. He has lamentably failed in his role and serves as a bad example of youth leadership.

The most logical and natural thing to do is ask President Sata to drop Mr. Chellah and protect the integrity of his office. With Mr Chellah at State House, Zambia will continue being treated to Mickey Mouse statements that lack basic reasoning and standards.

President Sata should save himself from further humiliation by firing Mr Chellah.

Mr. Chellah has misrepresented President Sata’s image, the image of his administration from the day he was appointed.

Issued by: Bowman Lusambo-MMD Die Hard National Coordinator