Mwanawasa critices SADC Secretariat

ZNBC, 29/03/2008

President Mwanawasa says SADC member states and the international co-operating partners are not happy with the SADC secretariate's lack of capacity to absorb financial aid meant to assist the organisation achieve its goals.

Speaking in Gaborone, when he addressed SADC senior management officials and staff, president Mwanawasa said member states are aware that the internal disunity between management and staff at the secretariat is a Major contributing factor to the said problem.

He warned that unless the weakness is attended to urgently, the regional body will fail to attain the set milestones and attainment of the Free trade Area (FTA) and Customs union in 2010.

Dr. Mwanawasa said the regional body needs an urgent solution to the problem as it is in a hurry to develop and improve the quality of life of its members.

The president also pointed out that member states are concerned that they are still receiving documentation very late ahead of important meetings.

This include the late submission of the SADC calendar of events which makes it difficult for member states to thoroughly study such documents and make informed decisions.

Dr. Mwanawasa said member states have further observed with concern that during meetings, the SADC secretariat has circulated final records which are not amended in line with the directives of the member states.

He said this makes the records inaccurate and poses the potential to stall progress in the implementation of SADC programmes.

Dr. Mwanawasa urged the secretariat to attend to all these probelms.

The President said Zambia attaches great attention to the implementation of the SADC programmes which is why it has been working hard to perform the tasks that were assigned to it, as chair of the regional organisation.

He said he was happy to inform the secretariat that Zambia has started implementing the tasks that were set during its time as chair.

Dr. Mwanawasa said his visit to the secretariat is part of the overall tasks set out to be achieved.

He said so far, he has already visited the SADC member states of Madagascar and Angola during which time crucial regional issues of energy and transport have been prominent during discussions.