Sata arrives in Mpongwe, attends mass

—–President Michael Sata has arrived in Mpongwe District on the Copperbelt Province to drum up support for the Patriotic Front candidate, Gabriel Namulambe, in the forthcoming Parliamentary by-election.

The President arrived in Mpongwe district aboard a Presidential Chopper and touched down at Ibenga Girls’ Secondary School grounds at exactly 09:50 hours to a thunderous welcome by Ministers, Members of Parliament and hundreds of Patriotic Front cadres.

The President, who was accompanied by Defence Minister, Geoffrey Mwamba, Commerce Minister, Emmanuel Chenda, and his Press Assistance George Chellah, and was received at Ibenga Secondary school grounds by Vice President ,Guy Scott, Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge and PF campaign Manager for Mpongwe by-election, Jean Kapata and other Ministers, Members of Parliament and PF cadres.

Upon arrival, the President proceeded to St Theresa’s Ibenga Mission where he attended a two-hour mass with the Vice President Guy Scott and several MPs and the rest of the entourage.

In his short speech to congregants, Mr Sata called for togetherness and hard work among government leaders.

The President noted that the Catholic Church was doing a lot in helping vulnerable and orphan children, hence the need for government leaders to work with the church to ensure that they continue helping many more children.

The President cited St Theresa’s Ibenga Mission of the Catholic Church in Mpongwe as one of the partners of government in helping children and called on ministers and Members of Parliament to always ensure that they work closely with such all churches.

And President Michael Sata has directed Copperbelt Province, Minister Mwenya Musenge, to ensure that the road branching from Mpongwe turn off to Ibenga Mission is tarred.

President Sata told the Copperbelt Minister that he would like to see the roads connecting to Mpongwe district tarred within a short period of time.

And Mr Sata has bemoaned lack of active participation by men in church-related matters.

The Head of state said there was need for men to emulate the women in taking part in church activities so that the country can be guided by those principles.

Mr Sata further urged Deputy and Cabinet Ministers and various Members of Parliament (MPs) present during the mass to ensure that they regularly visit the people who ushered them into office.

Meanwhile, St Theresa Catholic Church Priest, Fr Bonaventure Mpasa, said there was need for leaders to unite with Christ so that they can govern the country based on his principles.

During the same mass the head of state made the PF candidate for Mpongwe constituency by election Gabriel Namulambe to kneel down in front of the congregants to apologies and pledge to work with the church.

Immediately after the mass the President and his entourage paid a courtesy call on Chieftainess Malembeka of the Lamba people at her palace which is a few meters from the main road.

After lunch the President is expected to hold a rally at central business area at Ibenga where a crowd of people are anxiously gathered.

The Mpongwe seat fell vacant after Gabriel Namulambe ditched the former ruling party, MMD, to join the ruling Patriotic Front.