ZNBC Is a Sleeping Giant – Sinkamba
By Staff Reporter
Opposition Green Party has charged that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) is a sleeping giant which does not need the 5 kwacha TV levy staff and management are endlessly crying for.
The TV levy will now be collected by Independent Broadcasting Authority and not the public broadcaster.
In a statement to newdayzambia.com party president Peter Sinkamba said it was ridiculous and unbelievable that following the decision, management from ZNBC management, the institution has landed in a serious financial situation to the extent of failing to pay salaries to staff.
Sinkamba said with the current infrastructure at its disposal, ZNBC had a potential to treble the revenue generated and it could be self-sustaining by generating own resources more than enough to meet its salary and other obligations, without being dependent on TV levy.
“The trouble is that both management and staff are self-preserving and seeking political guarantees. They fear to make decisions that are in public interest as is dictated by the Constitution of Zambia, instead, they prioritize to make short-term decisions to appease politicians, all for safeguarding own jobs,” said Sinkamba.
“Yet, we the People of Zambia have done our part to ensure no public service worker is victimized for performing duties in public interest. We have provided the constitutional guarantees by enacting Article 173,” he said.
Sinkamba said the law had provided guiding values and principles of the public service delivery which included maintenance and promotion of the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity, effective, impartial, fair and equitable provision of public services; prompt, efficient and timely response to people’s needs; commitment to the implementation of public policy and programmes, and accountability for administrative purposes.
“Armed with these constitutional guarantees, no politician can victimize them provided they operate within the limits of guiding values and principles of public service. Any unconstitutional victimization is void absolutely, and of no legal effect. So, really, there is absolutely no reason why management and staff at ZNBC should allow shoddy service provision, all for fear of victimization by politicians,” charged Sinkamba.
“Put simply, woes at ZNBC are self-induced. Management and staff have dug own graves and nailed own coffins. Staff, especially, will continue to endure hardships, provided they chose political guarantees and self-preservation over constitutional guarantees,” he said.
Sinkamba said there was no better guarantee than a constitutional guarantee.
