Row emerges over NRM task-force composition (Youtube-Clip)

Mzee continues to struggle with the Media; Mzee defends his actions towards NTV; and mistakes the truth with lies

Press Conferance 24.01.2015 YKM
Mzee had today a Press Conference at the Masindi State Lodge in between campaign rallies. He has had issues with the press recently and this here is the memorable quotes from it!

The memorable quote worth taking from Today’s Press Conference:
“Is it not abuse of power to go in public and talk about something you don’t know?”  Mzee continued saying this: “Daily Monitor is also bad paper. Some of these groups like Monitor and NTV don’t know there is a God. They just tell lies. They think that they are the end of the world but God is there looking. You wait. NTV is bad television. NTV is an enemy television”. He continued to say this at the press conference:“Have I wasted my two hours talking since I have not bribed you? Will you air this program?” Also said: “Why do you publish naked women? Why don’t you publish the wealth creation message?”

Mzee doesn’t have it easy lately especially how he looks like a coward after not participating in the debate. A debate for schoolchildren where the other Presidential Candidates was speaking on live TV and discussing governmental matters; that is abuse Mzee that is democratic development where you try to find solutions and explain how they would run their government. As you did in 1980 as a UPM leader and failed. I am sure Milton Obote didn’t call out foul for how he was addressing the papers and radios at that present time. When you did go to the bush, didn’t really know how to run the government because you had run it for a hot minute and been part of Obote’s second term in charge. But is just me right?

Well, this here is pre-bush-war and liberation struggle of President Museveni. Who did what he had to do to reach power. He can’t help himself. Then he has be pastoral again, be preachy as Pentecostal pastor as God being mixed into the freedom of the press and the free speech scenario. NTV and Daily Monitor is now bad paper and telling lies. If so, why does New Vision come with the same poll 5 years apart mister Mzee?

His Excellency is proclaiming they are so bad that their bringing back the end of the world with their reporting. That is what he is initially saying to the other press today. That they have become his enemies; that NTV is about partisan politics towards him and also creating bad programs. As they don’t know they don’t know about the almighty lord. He is calling them bad and atheist! Since NTV is bad and doesn’t see God who is looking at their work.

New Vision 71% 2011 - 2016

The worst part of this address is that Daily Monitor and NTV is bad, and doesn’t know God. Mzee has lost the plot. This here is another level of harassment on the media from the President. The ban of NTV has burned like fire in dry grass and that is for reason. Nobody else then Mzee has had the media coverage or control of the media as him. Right now the Media isn’t telling the stories he want them tell. The adventures and fairytales of the NRM are not being portrayed in the Daily Monitor or on NTV. They ask questions to his reign, not as UBC and New Vision who process the stories of Ofwono Opondo or Mike Sebula without questioning it. Just like they did when they published the recent 71% lead to Mzee, the same lead he apparently had in 2011. We can’t help to question that or the motivation to get the same coverage in all parts of the media.

That an President proclaims in the end of the campaign period and at the same time says as it the end of the world; also that the media who address the world different than his party are enemies! Surely that is not democratic or justified. Sure he could use some drones to fill in the voter tourism at his campaign rallies or have less UPDF people to keep the people at the rally. So they can’t leave until they are told so.

NRM 14.11.15

The programming of the TV Station is for the TV Station or Radio Station to decide depending on what they see as relevant to their schedule and their viewers wish to see it or enjoy it. That is just rude from the President to tell the journalist: that he nearly decree them show his press conference without questioning if they have something else to show. I am sure because he moves his brain and mouth everywhere, so it not literally news anymore. Yeah, I know me playing with the leopard’s anus. But next time maybe not ban a TV Stations before telling the ones showing up their thinking of airing it that is just disrespectful!

Then you tell Red Pepper what to address in the paper, especially not write about human rights violations of the Police, which it is when an opposition woman get undressed in public while travelling to an opposition rally. Instead you want to them to write about your pyramid scheme called the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), that does not prove any yield yet, that is why I call it a pyramid scheme. You have come up similar programs  since taking power in 1986. They have a saying if you lie enough times you believe it as truth. You, Mzee have told the stories on how you will make the country prosperous, instead you have gotten wealthy, while the country you been running is not. That is the reason why Red Pepper writes about Human Rights violations instead of OWC.

Your address the journalist and media as underlings and people, who don’t understand anything, while wanting them to broadcast your stories. You don’t see the misconception in that? This here press conference proves the vile attempt of self-rule and justifications on his own behalf, instead of coming with the tone and gentleman’s approach to the media. Instead he goes gung-ho and address them in a manner that no statesmen would do. Neglecting the fact of how journalism works and that his dedication and presence does not entail a special treatment. You can talk for as many hours as you please and continue with your rallies, but as long as your progress is to stifle media, tell media what to broadcast and also put God into the mix; your losing the basics of news. Media would address you and describe your things if they we’re worthy, or if they we’re paid to do so, as your press are doing constantly like UBC and New Vision. They will have special reports on you and pieces on the achievements of the NRM if you order it. That will not happen from your so-called enemies. If you make them your enemies, then you expect them address your properly? Do you expect people to show you appreciation if you discuss them in volatile way instead being in dialogue? You’re even saying they doesn’t know the almighty God and his overview of the situation, something that you’re implying that your seeing. Isn’t that being a bit naïve and also telling your enemies to be unholy to clean your own hands?

Why should we trust your stories when you tell them the way it makes you look great at any given time, instead of giving the same story! That your implying that you speak the truth while NTV and Daily Monitor tells the opposite. Proves that he has already decided that they are evil and lying to the public, because they don’t tell his stories anymore in the reflection that he wants; because if you don’t tell a story as Mzee then you’re lying; that is my public announcement and keep that in your mind when writing about him. That is what he wants to control your mind so you write the stories he wants; so please Red Pepper, Daily Monitor and NTV address the Operation Wealth Creation, forget the woman of the country and human rights, that doesn’t matter, that is if: Mzee still have the authority to control the creative control of the media and take away the freedom of speech and freedom of the press. That is what he fought for in Luweero in 1980s so he could run the country, not have a free the press or freedom to the people, or have I lost the plot? Peace.

Press Release: Kenyan arrested on charges of Human Trafficking in Uganda (22.01.2016)

UPF 22.01.2016 Press Release

KCCA banning Besigye’s Posters in the City; KCCA have a Campaign Poster Paranoia that is on another level!

KCCA Poster Ban 23.01.2016

We are at a day where a poster from the KCCA is been released. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is becoming more and more a NRM Unit as we speak. They have already been hard to their DP elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. This here is on the same level.

Jennifer Musisi and Frank Tumbawaze have their own mood-swings to show loyalty to their master. Mzee must enjoy the news and the order from KCCA. This here is in the 25 or 26 days of the Campaign Trail. KCCA can’t be seen as impartial organization or governmental organization that runs Kampala. They have also another character to help running KCCA which is the Presidential Advisor for Kampala Affairs. I am still not sure what he is supposed to do, but that is case and scenario that needs deep brief because of the NRM like to run and shield itself instead of telling their story.

KCCA have breached and become so impartial that their level is sky high and the Campaign Poster Paranoia, is just to an extent that is made of baboons. Singing jiggly and acting  with jiggy people in Kabalagala, instead they show no institutional integrity of a government outfit. It proves how the people who are hired of the NRM are not working for the people, but for the political party. This here is a breach of the ethical actions from the KCCA. They are the right-hand for the Mzee instead of working for the people of Kampala. As they show with this action as they proclaim their allegiance to the NRM. Not, being their for any kind of party or having the same rules and regulation for all of the citizens of Kampala. Because that would not be JUSTICE in the eyes of KCCA for the moment. There is a difference between the men who support Dr. Kizza Besigye and President Museveni. that is why his posters can hang and be pinned on the wall. While the FDC poster will be taken down! 

They should either take down that foolish nonsense regulations of taking pay for the posters or and at once stop the ignorance of KCCA to expel FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye posters from being pinned in the City. Because this leaves NRM with full-fledges of the walls in Kampala. The City can even have UPC and DP poster, and whatever else until Musisi and Tumbawaze can run the city like wild-west in the mercy of Mzee.

There is something wrong with this. Another tale of BS from the NRM-Regime; I wonder who rubberstamped this?

Like in Bugolobi, Kampala the 6th January 2016:

Bugologi, Kampala 06.01.2016 KCCA

Think that was enough for today. Peace.

NRM Papal Poster; And other victorious ideas from Mzee’s team!

Papal Poster NRM Campaign

NRM has so little to show that they have to use the powers and goodwill of the Papal Visit in November to look good. NRM Campaign Team must have lost the plot, but Mike Sebalu is not the smartest trickster or campaign manager in the world, but the here take the Cake!

Uganda Campaign Poster 2016 Funny

This here is also so Priceless! Wonder if the candidates feels the same?

NRM Dumpster Posters

Wonder if Mzee feels that this is a perfect spot to pin the posters up? 

Well, there been more, but this the ones I could find now. Peace.

 

 

Today the People’s President travelled and Campaigned in Kibaale District; with a massive turn-up; Brief governance issues in the District!

Mugisha Muntu 23.01.2016 Hoima District

We can see today how the Kibaale district has turned up for the FDC Convoy and the Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, in high numbers and great spirit. This here is campaign rallies and proving the progress of the campaign where the local public shows trust to him and therefore rallies behind without asking questions.

Kiyazo IDP 23.01.2016 FDC Rally

Dr. Kizza Besigye has visited Kizayo internally displaced people’s camp in Kiziranfumbi sub-county in Hoima district.  Over 200 people were forcefully evicted february last 2015; one business man Kimera Robert using police. People displayed tear gass cansters which police used to forcefully evict them from the land they have been occupying for 20 years. The Evictee told Besigye that they took the matter to court and court put injuction on eviction which Kimera never heeded to.

Kibale District FDC Rally 23.01.2016

Dust repellent! ‘Rtd. Col. Dr Besigye Welcome to the world of dust Kibaale District’ reads the special T-shirt designed for Dr. Kizza Besigye by supporters in Kibaale District. Kibaale District residents do not know how it feels to have their taxes translate into tarmac as they do not have even an inch of tarmac! ‪#‎WesigeBesigye

Bukyinda Rally 23.01.2016 FDC

Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Message after the rallies today:

“Today we continued with Hoima and we rallied part of Kibaale we are thankful for the hospitality extended to us. Support is massive, it is our duty to protect it using our P10 structures. I call upon all our supporters and Ugandans who want change to continue building the Power 10 structures, this is our mobilization structure to protect our votes and make sure they are counted and in the end count. This is what we have to do in order for us to achieve equal opportunities and shared prosperity for the change we all deserve”. #Wesige Besigye

This here proves yet again how the campaign goes for the presidential FDC candidate and people are really behind him, he doesn’t ferry this people to the rallies and they show up on their merry. So let’s be positive about it 25 days to go, and the momentum is rising for Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Some Governance news form the district during recent years:

Here is a quick brief on governmental issues in Kibaale District like on Forrest Reserves and Schooling, as the government should have addressed already, since they have been in power for so many years.

In 2013 and on schools in the district:

 

One government aided schools in Kibaale District are conducting lessons under trees due to acute shortage of classroom blocks as the pupils enrollment shoots up. The need for provision of enough classroom blocks has been witnessed one week after the commencement of second term of academic year 2013 in different government aided primary schools” (104.1 Power FM, 03.06.2013).

On the 10th of August 2015:

“Ruzaire forest reserve in Kibaale district remains a shadow of its former thickness, following increased encroachment by residents, who have up to now defied the 31st July deadline by the National Forest Authority to vacate” (…)”NFA backed by the UPDF and Police on Friday reigned on errant residents, who continue making fresh clearing for another farming season instead of harvesting their produce as agreed. Our reporter was on location as NFA enforced an eviction in which many were arrested from Kabamba Sub County in Kibaale and taken to Kagadi Police” (WBS TV, 10.08.2015).

Albertine Graben

More on Forrest Reserves:

“Judicial and security authorities in Kibaale District have teamed up with civil society organisations to step up efforts to protect natural resources in the area” (Radio Ankole 99,3 FM, 21.09.2015).

On Cholera outbreak in Kibaale District:

“Medical officials in Kibaale District have registered more than 90 cholera cases, the district health officer, Dr Dan Kyamanywa, has said. The cholera epidemic was confirmed on November 9 and six patients have since died” (89.9 Spice FM Hoima, 07.09.2015).

Kibale School Plans 13.01.2016

Message on the 13th January 2016:

“This school need support any Person or Organization, Corporation, Charities, Christian Organization to Donate towards the construction of this Orphans school in Uganda, Kibaale District, the Plan and BOQs you can see by your self. Also the Dormitory Plan and BOQ is on. Thank you in advance” (Kibaale RURAL Development Foundation, 13.01.2016).

That is enough for today. Peace.

Political Parties spending during campaigns in November and December 2015; NRM buying shirts and ferrying crowds; while the others Parties use meager funds their campaigns

NRM Pakwach 14.11.15

This here has been address by others, but this is my view on the report released by NGOs recently. So here is my view on how the parties have spent on the two months, and the issue is that is very important to discuss. Since this is use of money to gain power or to shape the political landscape. The use of moneys and what you use it on show the values and to what extend you will pay to either continue or get power. The pages are after the counting system of Acrobat document, the official document will have different numbers because Acrobat count the empty pages in the beginning also. Therefore the numbers are higher then what it is in the report and don’t get that confused. I just do it to make it easy.

“The minimum amount of money observed to have been spent by parties and their flag bearers in the observed districts was UGX 49.6 billion in November and 88.1 billion in December representing an increase of 77% over the two months. This increase is largely attributed to the commencement of member or parliament campaigns having been nominated on the 3rd and 4th of December 2015” (…)”ACFIM observers reported use of motorcades, bodabodas cyclists, entertainers; and provided transport refund, food and drinks for supporters that accompanied them to nomination and attended the nomination rallies” (P: 8, 2016).

“Assessment of Minimum Expenses by Party:

According to ACFIM observers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidates are leading by far terms of campaign spending. The party accounts for 87% of the total minimum observed expenditures reported by ACFIM Research Assistants/Observers in the months of November and December. NRM is trailed by Independent Candidates who have spent 7.9%, FDC (2.1%), Go Forward political group (1.1%), DP (0.5%), UPC (0.3%) and other parties (0.3%)” (P: 10, 2016).

Yellow Buses Luweero 081115 NRM

NRM Minimum costs:

There has been observed how the NRM have been using funds on their candidates and campaigning from June 2015 to December 2015. This here proves yet again to what extent the ruling parties secure loyalty and MPs. Every NRM Village has spent minimum UGX 15m. The delegates conference for the constitutional amendment they spent UGX 19M. The Second delegate’s conference to elect Flag-Bearer UGX 20M; then it’s the monies spent to MPs to secure the vote for sole-candidacy that was UGX 6M. They also spent money for Posh Cars for party officials UGX 10M. Last was paying for the NRM Primaries which cost about UGX 30M. That means the minimum cost for NRM we’re UGX 100M (P: 12, 2016). That is before you really start to campaign!

Page 12 Expenses FDC June - December 2015

Expenses of Presidential Candidates in November and December:

“The candidate Yoweri Museveni accounts for majority of the total minimum expenditure with 91.6% of the total minimum expenses recorded. Candidate Museveni is followed by Amama Mbabazi whose expenditure accounts for 4.6% and Kizza Besigye (3.3%). The rest of the candidates spent less than 1.0% combined” (P: 16, 2016).

NRM giving money away to gain support:

“The Money Man”; He is retired Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde. He was handing over UGX 20million to an association of vendors in Entebbe Market in December. He has been leading the advance party of candidate Yoweri Museveni. Observers in Arua reported that he handed out UGX 50,000 to 400 voters who claimed to have converted from FDC – they met him at White Castle Hotel in Arua” (P: 19, 2016).

Elton Joseph Mabirizi 17.11.15

Expenses on Journalists by Presidential Candidate (Nov & Dec):

“Yoweri Museveni outstrips his competitors in terms of expenditure on facilitation of Journalists on campaign trail. Observers report that candidate Yoweri Museveni has a team on 20 local journalists (electronic and print) that are covering his campaign trail, each of these journalists receives daily upkeep (per diem and incidentals) of UGX 150,000 from the candidate’s campaign coordination team. In addition when the candidate conducts regional press conferences, the facilitation for journalists attending the press conference rises to UGX 500,000 and about 50 journalists can be in attendance (i.e. the 20 on campaign trail are joined by 20-30 others from the region). Journalists on candidate Amama Mbabazi campaign trail get up a reported minimum of UGX 40,000 while journalists covering candidate Kizza Besigye and others get much less or nothing” (P: 31, 2016).

Starlink Buses for NRM 06.01.2016 P1

Voter Tourism:

“Voter tourism as the practice by candidates where voters are provided with buses, trucks, minibuses or cars and driven from their homes to campaign rallies or around the constituency as an inducement to voters in return for their support come polling day. Clearly a poor voter who has not sat in an automobile for a year or more will be more than excited to enjoy the ride provided by the political candidate free of charge. Voter tourism has been prevalent in November and December with candidates of the NRM party most commonly observed engaging in this campaign tactic. Voter hospitality on the other hand is a situation where political candidate host voters to a banquet or party or meal or retreat where are treated to a good meal, animals slaughtered and cooked or roasted, lots of drinks including booze, music/disco, live entertainment and sometimes lodging in a comfortable hotel, motel or lodge. Voter tourism and voter hospitality were prevalent in November and December with majority of candidates across political parties complicity to this” (P: 41, 2016). To continue why the candidates use this tactic; “Political candidates that have been observed to engage in campaign tactics like voter tourism and voter hospitality in November and December, do not do so because they are generous, but because they expect recipients to return the favour. The timing of these offers in the middle of an election campaign and the nature of intended beneficiaries for this generosity is clear manifestation that the aim is to induce voters in return for their support on February 18th, 2016. This clearly is voter bribery” (P: 43, 2016)

Handouts During Campaigns 2015 Uganda

Misuse of Government Resources:

“On the 9th of November 2015 a number of government vehicles were used on candidate Museveni’s rally held at Kasana Play Ground. Some of the vehicle registration plates observed in action at the rally include: UG2183C, UG 0178H, UG1427W, UG 0187D, UG 2688D, UG 2183C, UG 2043C, UG 2405C. UG 1832S, UG1768C. Observers in Katikamu report that on the same day government vehicle number UG 2708R was used to transport supporters to Kasana playground” (P: 44, 2016). “Similarly on December 3rd 2015 dependent candidate for Katikamu South Member of Parliament Patricia Magara was observed using a bus with government number plates to ferry campaign attendees from different sub counties to her nomination rally in Bulakasa” (P: 45, 2016).

Gen Tukumunde Entebbe Dec 2015 - Money Man for NRM

The minimum NRM expenses of only November 2015 are 125,219,922,000! (P: 50, 2016) That is a lot’s of money. I will point out some special expenses that the NRM party has used this giant UGX 125bn on campaign for November 2015! That is lots of lots money! For Voter Tourism they have used UGX 140m in November alone. Allowances for 500 Special Force Command men as Campaign Security total pay cost UGX 300m in November alone. On Yellow T-shirts the NRM party used UGX 15,806bn that is a lot on type of item, it surely is to sprite up those campaign rallies and Yellow crowds! After quick calculations they used close to UGX 1,4bn on media advertisements on TV, Radio and Newspapers. On campaign posters the hefty sum of UGX 1,7bn (P: 49-50, 2016).

Though FDC used a UGX 1bn as the biggest opposition party, it still proves the total use of funds from NRM. I am not surprised with all the knowledge of voter tourism and also giving away foods and items at their campaign venues. The tally has to get big for the ruling party with all the hiring of buses and such proves how much their viable to use to get the perfect crowds and pictures to the press. Like yesterday there we’re reports of a village that was the size of 500 people, the NRM had a campaign rally of 20,000. Surely they had some buses and shipped them to that venue as they have done before and hired bus-companies to travel and pay to get crowds. Something FDC and the other parties does not do.

NRM Terego East 17.11.15

The NRM proves to be the big-spender and would be surprised if the result from a NGO would be different, maybe if Ofwono Opondo would describe it differently.  He said this recently: “It is true that NRM is outspending other parties. It is true that we spent over UGX32b during NRM primaries” (…)”We are spending the money locally. We are buying t-shirts, water, paying musicians, hire cars from Ugandans” (…)”There’s no evidence that money being spent by political parties is causing inflation pressure” (TheInsider, 2016).

Mr Opondo is not a giant economic sense of a guy, the extended monies into use without monetary policy can lead into higher inflations, that is why the two recent elections periods in Uganda in 2006 and 2001 that the inflations rate we’re escalating and also led to higher prices on the household commodities. But Mr. Opondo has a way of forgetting such while his party is big spending. As they have their own “Money Man” during the campaign and continue to support the level of Voter Tourism. I am surely they have an own warehouse just for Yellow T-Shirts near a Headquarter of the NRM. They should they have used such a fortune on it and the ones they haven’t given away should be stored well.

The war-chest of NRM must be huge. As the reports before November was expected that NRM would use UGX 500bn, and by seeing the results of November alone in this report proves that those estimations was spot-on. If you can calculate the same amount for December and January; then you get up to the estimated usage of NRM party. Mzee surely like to make blast and bang while using spin-doctors to portray him as the national father of the country. While the other parties can nearly scrap enough funding for their own campaigns! And the other parties can’t use government equipment like the NRM does once in a while. As this report has pointed out and none of us who follows the NRM should be shocked and awe, it’s more the same old story. Well, that was enough for today. Peace!

Reference:

Alliance for Campaign – ‘MONITORING CAMPAIGN EXPENSES DURING

THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD’ – PROGRESS REPORT NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015

The Insider – ‘Opondo: NRM money won’t cause inflation’ (23.01.2016) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/opondo-nrm-money-wont-cause-inflation/

Today the FDC campaigns in Hoima; The Calvary had to act foolish; but with negations the activist was freed

FDC 22.01.2016 P6 Begining of Campaign in Hoima

Hoima starts off so well! FDC Convoy had their first stop-over at Katanga in Bugambe sub-county. Buhaguzi constituency in Hoima District. The fact that People’s President Dr. Kizza Besigye is addressing his people here in kiswahili points to changing demographics. Thanks to FDC Hoima leaders led by chairman Jackson Wabyona and candidates aspiring on FDC ticket on various positions for the good mobilization.

FDC 22.01.2016 P4

A police man at Kyarushesha police post threatened to shot at Journalists; who were covering the arrest of FDC supporters who were pinning Kizza Besigy’s posters at the venue where Besigye was scheduled to hold a rally there. The police man fired two bullets!

FDC 22.01.2016 P3

As he (the Police Man) contantly yells at journalists stoping them from capturing his actions. All the shootings happened in the presence of Kizza Bessigye before he start addresing the rally.

FDC 22.01.2016 P1

Defiance in action. We have held our rally at Kyarushesha Police Station; as we demanded the release of our mobilisers; who apparently were arrested by police for putting up Kizza Besigye posters. They fired bullets to chase the crowd away but nobody is moved and instead people continued to come.

FDC 22.01.2016 P2

By the time Kizza Besigye finished addressing the swelling crowd, our mobilisers had already been released! The power of numbers! #WesigeBesigye!

FDC 22.01.2016 P5 Hoima Main Rally

I think this was enough for today! Peace.

Water-Crisis in the City of Flint; Time to call in USAID to solve it as they do around the world; because water matters!

USAID_Water_Strategy_3-1_0

USAID and World Bank need to offer loans to Flint, Michigan; they can facilitate tap-water to the citizens of the city. This in a county where they have year after years of financial deficit and defaulted on budgeted projects of the city. This just by browsing through google after writing Flint, Michigan Budget Deficit, the articles goes back to 2009. That means 6 years where there been missing money for the county budget. This means that the country can’t deliver the community what it needs, because they don’t have the funds to finance what the town and county need.

Here is the USAID mission statement:

“Ending extreme poverty and promoting the development of resilient, democratic societies that are able to realize their potential. We fundamentally believe that ending extreme poverty requires enabling inclusive, sustainable growth; promoting free, peaceful, and self-reliant societies with effective, legitimate governments; building human capital and creating social safety nets that reach the poorest and most vulnerable” (USAID, 2016).

I will look at some reports of the water quality that has been in media where Cher and Big Sean has donated some Dasani water to the public because the bottles settle the issue with the tap-water that the county doesn’t have money to fix or use proper water-sources. Let’s say what certain reports done by various enteritis say about the water and economy in Flint. Take a brief look:

gm-confirms-flint-east-plant-closing

About Jobs and Poverty in City of Flint:

In a town of “In Flint, for example, absent other factors, employment would have declined by 12.7 percent between 1980 and 2009 because nationally, the industries it specialized in actually shrank over those years. However, Flint lost jobs in those poor performing industries in which it specialized faster than other metros due to a de!cit in the competitiveness of its existing local industries” (…)”At the most basic level, poverty results in lower standards of living. However, there are other, less direct effects that are even more troubling. For instance, poverty is highly correlated with low levels of education, and can thus trap individuals and households for generations, lowering socioeconomic mobility through lack of opportunity. The failure to combat the causes of poverty is also scally unsound; if those problems are not eradicated, state and local governments face smaller tax bases as well as higher outlays to support their populations. Poverty rates were well above the U.S. metro average in 2009 in all of Michigan’s metros except Holland and Jackson” (Michigan Economic Condition Assessment).

Flint GM Plant Workers

Economic situation in 2011 in Flint:

“In 2011, the numbers bear a startling story, as of 2009, 36,2 percent of Flint’s 102,000 residents were living below the poverty level, and nearly 20 percent were at an income level that was 50 percent below poverty level” (…)”In mid-1980s, General Motors – at a time when the company was experiencing records profits – laid off 30,000 autoworkers in Flint, eventually 80,000 in all, and shut down several factories” (Smith, 2011).

Emergency Manager takes control because of budget deficit:

“However, on December 1. 2011, the Governor of the State of Michigan appointed an Emergency Manager for the City of Flint, due in part to a deficit in the general fund, the decline in pooled cash, budget issues, and unfunded liabilities for post-employment benefits. The appointed Emergency Financial Managers and Emergency Manager  were authorized by virtue of their appointment to “act for and in the place and stead of the governing body and the office of chief administrative officer of the City of Flint” (…)”The General Fund deficit as of June 30, 2013, is now $12.9 million” (City of Flint, 2013).

Flint-sweepstakes

Assessment of the water from City of Flint in 2014:

“The City of Flint did experience drinking water issues in the summer of 2014. Issues began with areas of the city experiencing “rusty” water. This was largely due to the fact that the city distribution system contains hundreds of miles of cast iron pipe” (…)”The City of Flint received violations from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The violations included a total coliform and E. coli in August and September of 2014, and a corresponding total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violation in December of the same year” (City of Flint, 2014).

Flint Michigan

Water quality report 2015:

“Prior to April 30, 2014, the city of Flint purchased water of the City of Detroit. On April 30, 2014, the City of Flint switched from utilizing purchased water from Detroit to a new water source, the Flint City River. Subsequently to the change in source water, the City of Flint experienced a number of water quality issues resulting in violations of National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) including acute and non-acute Coliform Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) violations and Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) MCL violations” (…)”National Primary Drinking Water  Regulation (NPDWR) Violations – City of Flint:

Following the switch to the Flint River, the City of Flint experienced a series of NPDWR violations as follows:

Acute Coliform MCL violation in August 2014

Monthly Coliform MCL violation in August 2014

Monthly Coliform MCL violation in September 2014

Average TTHM MCL violation in December 2014

Average TTHM MCL violation in March 2015

Average TTHM MCL violation in June 2015” (US EPA, 2015).

Statement on quality of water in 2016:

“The American Water Works Association applauds President Obama for signing an emergency declaration that makes available federal aid for the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan” (…)”When a community changes water sources or water treatment, unintended consequences can occur. Water systems must be alert to these potential issues and have plans in place to address them” (…)”AWWA is committed to helping water utilities, elected leaders and customers in applying these and other lessons from the crisis in Flint” (AWWA, 2016).

Flint Michigan P2

Afterthought:

So with seeing this little evidence and also seeing how the state goes in with Emergency Managers both over-controlling the mayor and the city hall because of the growing deficit that surely must have taken emergency measures that must have been done to save budget funds.

The result that has caused havoc now has been visible since August 2014. That is more 17 months when they had it in after changing of water sources to the Flint River. It is staggering how long the results have been – if it is the pipeline or the source it is still scary to know that there been steady violations; that have been pushed under the rug or not discussed. I don’t know why the fuzz is happening now or if it is campaign season and that is why the Americans and world hear about water-quality and crisis in Flint.

The unemployment that goes back to foreclosure of car-factories and other automobile industry has destroyed the economy while the rich have moved from the central town to the suburbs in the county while the town has had steady rise of poverty in the city of Flint. That is why I ask for USAID to do their business and bore holes in the city of Flint in the state of Michigan. USAID has an mission to work amongst poverty and create possibilities and with the amassed levels of poverty in Flint, with closure of schools and abandoned houses an such proves the need for AID from USAID. They should come in with their programs to salvage and create better water with their technicians as they have done for decades in African Countries and Latin America, and help their own as they are in need.

Dasani

The bottles of Dasani given from Big Sean and Cher won’t do much but a tear-drop in the ocean. The emergency funding from the federal funds might help, but that is also done in fashionable loans so the debt burden on the City of Flint. So as a failed banana republic that usually gets programs and aid from USAID, it is time to deliver that to City of Flint. As they have unemployment on the levels of sub-Saharan Africa, they have high crime-levels and public with little faith in the government institutions. Schools are detreating and other institutions are weaker than before. People are living on non-working programs and many suspended as they have been living to long on this state-program. They work with poverty eradication that the City of Flint needs. They can start microfinancing programs to get people to start smaller businesses and grow the level of monies spent in the city. Fund them through water programs similar to WASH strategies of the USAID to secure the level of water quality and food security as a part of that. Something USAID can do in city of Flint. They have already lost some part of their autonomy as the Michigan state put in two Emergency leader both Emergency Manager and Emergency Financial Manager who overpower the people’s chosen leadership of the town and also control the monitoring of the functions of the town, this to get control of the deficit; but also leaving the limbo of the democratic institutions in the city. That means it fits perfectly to what kind of environment that USAID goes into which often is totalitarian or semi-democratic societies with big-men who are stronger control over government institution than ordinary procedure. This is the same with the Emergency leadership of City of Flint. So it not only the economic difficulties, unemployment rate, poverty standard, in the end it also fits the levels of institutional malfunctions to fix the budget deficit as the governor of Michigan has seen.

usaid_water_strategy

So if the USAID will follow their mission and do something good, use their skills and WASH programs, then they should put them into use in the City of Flint, Americans helping Americans. Not a vile and foolish picture, the money that US Government have put into USAID over the year, this here good be a good service back and prove that the money is well spent, as the USAID can finance and find way to fix the water and give of their knowledge to create a more prosperous society. City of Flint should try to get a Memorandum of Understanding to give way so that USAID can give the citizens of Flint what they deserve before Michael Moore makes another film displaying the deteriorating city he was raised in. USAID shouldn’t just build water wells in Afar region in Ethiopia, when there a city in America where they can’t get healthy water; their WASH personnel could really give AID and create development in Flint. This is if the City of Flint could accept it and give way to the organization to show way. USAID have the skill and manpower needed, Flint have not the funds or the situation to get out of it. This here is a decline of a city ever since General Motors starting to leave and move automobile factories since the 1980s. Therefore the reforms have to come and why not through USAID. They can bring hope and more then Big Sean’s bottles of Dasani. Peace.

Reference:

American Water Works Association (AWWA) – ‘Statement from AWWA CEO David LaFrance concerning Flint water quality crisis’ (19.01.2016)

City of Flint – ‘Annual Water Quality Paper 2014’ link: https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/CCR-2014.pdf

City of Flint – ‘Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30. 2013’

‘Michigan Economic Condition Assessment 2.0’ link: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Reports/2012/2/23-michigan-economy/0223_michigan_mid_metros.pdf

Smith, Jay Scott – ‘Flint’s economic fall like none other in the country’ (26.11.2011) link: http://thegrio.com/2011/09/26/flints-economic-fall-like-none-other-in-the-country/

USAID – ‘MISSION, VISION AND VALUES‘ (07.06.2016) link: https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/mission-vision-values

United States Environmental Protection Agency – ‘Transmittal of Final Report – High Lead at three residences in Flint, Michigan’ (04.11.2015)

GoU – ‘Banning the Recruitment and Deployment of Domestic Workers to Saudi Arabia and Other Countries (22.01.2016)

Uganda - Recruitment Saudi Arabia 22.01.2016Uganda - Recruitment Saudi Arabia 22.01.2016 P2Uganda - Recruitment Saudi Arabia 22.01.2016 P3