MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has challenged out-spoken Mongu Diocese Catholic Bishop Paul Duffy, to tell the nation which party the people of Western Province would prefer if they do not want the current MMD-led Government.

And Ms Siliya handed over two computers to Petauke police and prisons departments.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Siliya described the remarks by Bishop Duffy that the people of that area did not want the MMD as extremely shocking.

She questioned the basis of Bishop Duffy's remarks and said MMD was the only formidable party, and that opposition parties like the PF were a one-man party, while their pact counterparts in the UPND were a regional party.

Ms Siliya, who is Education Minister and Petauke MP, said the MMD was on the right track to national development, which she said had steered economic development, in all sectors of the economy.

She was reacting to media reports that quoted Bishop Duffy as having said the people of Western Province thought it was time to change the Government, alleging that President Banda's Government was full of contradictions.

And commenting on Chilanga MP Ng.andu Magande's remarks that he (Magande) was the late president Levy Mwanawasa's choice for a successor after Dr Mwanawasa, Ms Siliya said the MMD was not a one-man party, and that the process for selection of any candidate to stand on its ticket, had to pass through all the organs of the party.

She challenged Mr Magande to prove his popularity by resigning from the party and recontesting his seat.

She said this in reaction to remarks made by Mr Magande on ZNBC's "Frank Talk" TV programme on Wednesday that his expulsion from the party would cost the MMD a by-election, because the MMD would easily lose the Chilanga seat to the opposition.

And speaking when she handed over the computers, Ms Siliya said she was prompted to donate the equipment in order to enhance the performance of the two departments in her district.

Ms Siliya, who is also Petauke MP, said the computers would enable the two departments move in line with the new ear of information communication technologies.

And receiving the donations, Petauke police superintendent Emmanuel Bwalya and his prisons counterpart Changala Silwamba, commended the MP for working at uplifting the working environments of the two institutions.