Sikhala seeking relevance

Job Sikhala, who is the secretary for recruitment in Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC, should mind his own business rather than waffling in the press that being a member of parliament (MP) is a waste of time.

 Sikhala, who was once an MP of St Mary's exposed himself that during his tenure as a legislature he did nothing tangible for the people he represented. A hard working legislator will always be voted back in power. However, that was different scenario with Sikhala and his former constituency. The residents of St Mary's were always complaining about poor collection of waste disposals and bad sewer system. As a responsible MP, Sikhala was supposed to organize with the local municipality in order to solve such problems.

Because he was sleeping on duty, the former St Mary's legislature lost his seat to Marvelous Khumalo in 2008. If being a legislator is a waste of time, why was Sikhala competing for the St Mary's parliamentary seat? Was he forced to do so? Sikhala must be ashamed of his sentiments. His scathing words that being an MP is a waste of time depicts that he is just a man who tasted sour grapes after losing his seat to Khumalo.

Like Sikhala, most opposition MPs who represent most constituencies in towns and cities lack commitment to their work. It seems most of them are not aware of their job descriptions. They are only capable of attacking the ruling government without proffering meaning solutions. Checks and balances are important, but they should be backed by solid solutions.

There is really need for legislators to develop their constituencies. You cannot boast that you are an MP if you can't represent the electorate. In rural areas, quite a number of these legislatures are performing well in their areas of jurisdiction despite the current economic challenges. They mobilize funds and other necessary resources from well wishers that are needed to develop their constituencies. Buhera South legislator, Honourable Joseph Chinotimba, MP for Magunje constituency, Honourable Godfrey Gandawa and Chirumhanzu South Member of Parliament, Honourable Innocent Pedzisai Munanzvi are some of the unwavering hard working legislators whose work can be greatly cherished.

Developing a community is a way of empowering the people in that constituency.

It is imperative to note that MPs have important roles to play in the constituencies they represent. Among others, duties of parliamentarians include legislative role, supervisory role, and representative role.  MPs should be visible in their constituencies all the time.

In most urban areas where MDC-T MPs dominate, the legislators rarely goes to their constituencies such that the electorate who voted for them end up thinking that there have no MP in their constituency. People need food, accommodation and good healthy facilities. Most roads in Harare suburbs like Budiriro, Highfield and Glenview are full of potholes. It is the duty of the responsible MP to liaise with Harare city council to repair those roads. The public needs to be represented.

Cdes, lets develop our communities so as to promote growth of the entire nation.