PRESIDENT CALLS FOR RESPECT FOR CITIZENS

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Wednesday stressed that state workers have a responsibility to convey a message of respect to citizens.The President was speaking at a rally in the administrative post of Machoca, Namuno district in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, at the end of his “open and inclusive presidency” tour of the north of the country which began on 4 June. “The fight against poverty demands respect for human dignity. State organs are required to explain concerns presented by the citizens”, stressed the President. During the rally Jose dos Santos, a resident of Namuno district, complained to the President about the poor performance of some state institutions and government officials at district and provincial level, including the Namuno administrator himself, Casimiro Calope.“The officials of the administration of Namuno threaten us without just cause. And these threats worsen when there is an impeding visit of a government official, to prevent them from raising issues contrary to the interests the district administrator”, complained Jose dos Santos.The administrator was also accused of diverting money from pensioners and teachers’ salaries to buy a maize mill.President Guebuza stressed the need for the residents, as well as representatives of state bodies, to deliver messages showing the achievements made in the district, while also explaining the problems faced.“It is not an easy task to explain the contours of the fight against poverty. It is not easy to link this fight to our history”, said President Guebuza.According to President Guebuza, there is still a long way to go to win the fight against poverty as it demands “firmness, courage, determination and the conviction that we will win”. He criticised those who show scepticism, lack confidence and do not believe that poverty can come to an end. He explained that this struggle dates back to “when we united to fight against colonialism, won independence and later achieved peace. Today we must continue to fight together to end poverty”. During the rally, residents called for the construction of a bridge over the Lurio River, the construction of more schools and hospitals, the opening of an office to issue identity cards and the completion of the new health centre.