Inquiry: bring it on says HH
By Staff Reporter
United Party for National Development President Hakainde Hichilema says he is ready for an inquiry into the privatization of state assets.
has stated that the Commission of inquiry in the privatization process is a non-issue as he was never been in government at the time the process was taking place.
Hichilema, however said the inquiry must include the 42 million dollars acquired fire engines, 68 million dollars private jet, road and health exaggerated deals in terms of pricing among others.
“Bring it on, let’s get on with it and I am here and have never been a cabinet minister but remember that this was done by the MMD government under late President Frederick Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and living Rupiah Banda, late President Sata. You see this is the problem when you fail to lead, you want to accuse innocent citizens but bring it on, nshaliko ine nemulanda,” said Hichilema.
He said he welcomes the privatization inguiry but warned that it would be an exercise in futility as the final authority were Minister of Finance and the Attorney General.
“l was never the minister.l was never the attorney General”…….. The enquiry should be extended into the sale of zamtel by Rupiah Banda, Zamtel, Zaffico by Edgar Lungu, 42 fire tenders, 250 ambulances, Edgar Lungu’s Gulfstream $68M jet, Social cash Transfer funds meant for our disadvantaged groups in our communities, roads contracts, toll gates, sell of land to the Chinese nationals so we could end this issue of privatization and fight the current massive corruption that has paralyzed our economy today,” he said
Hichilema added that the PF government just wanted to shift the attention of the Zambian people from the corruption and looting they have preoccupied themselves with by bringing up MMD program of privatization whose decision and sale authorization was done by the late president Chiluba and all his cabinet that included late Michael Sata.
And his vice Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba says President Edgar Lungu must get ready to testify as he actively participated in the privatization process and selling of Zambia Cold Storage Limited to foreigners adding that his President (Hichilema) has never been in cabinet to sell or approve the sale of anything.
Mwamba has challenged government to arrest him as he was one of the people who bought some assets during the privatizations process.
The duo were speaking to the press in Lusaka shortly after the successful three church mother bodies led dialogue meeting at Kapingila house.
Meanwhile Hichilema said the dialogue meeting which was chaired by the three church mother board was a successful and outlined key issues.
“among the discussions were to put an end to political violence so that citizens can be able to choose their leaders based on who can truly work to deliver development. Electoral reforms: this is one of the key areas that was discussed as it borders on citizens deciding their destiny and not the electoral body being part of manipulating the will of the people. Judicial reforms: our country’s judicial system is one that no longer inspires citizens and this is one key area that needs attention as we discussed,” said Hichilema
He said that all political leaders and the convenors took cognizant of the need for independence of these key bodies in order to restore normalcy in the country.
“As a party that believes that we are a Christian Nation, we are grateful to the three church mother bodies for their continued support in ensuring a better Zambia for all. We will work round the clock to unite our country as we believe that for us to progress there is need for unity of purpose,”
