POSITIVE VIBRATIONS NO 88
WE had the first republic, second, now third and on the threshold of getting into the fourth republic, having missed greater constitutional enhancements as a result of political faltering.
Some individuals have sworn to oppose anything promoted by the government of the day. Terribly, unfortunate!
We had Zambia Airways, which was liquidated based on suspect “advise” or some kind of financial “blackmail.” It would be good to have details of this particular liquidation, because as far as I know, Zambia Airways’ assets were all over and the country is still benefiting from the services out of Ndeke House. The story of the United Bus Company of Zambia, (UBZ), is well known and documented.
Then we have the troubled Zambia Railways, the company which is supposed to be pivotal and critical to Zambia’s communication and logistical solutions.
Still staying with critical utilities, we have the essential electricity company, the Zambia Electricity and Supply Corporation (ZESCO). Alongside ZESCO are other critical state assets such as INDENI and TAZAMA, all oil entities, greatly undermined by competition (International Trade).
The Zambia Telecommunications Limited (Zamtel) is another story of a problematic tale. Going by perception, it would appear that the model followed to bring in another equity partner in the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) (essentially privatisation) has seen more benefits than the pain seen elsewhere. What is the reason?
The case of the once giant industrial corporation, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), is another worthy of mention. Alongside ZCCM is the likes of the then “mother” of all state-owned corporations the Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation (ZIMCO).
We also had the Industrial Development Corporation (INDECO) which has undergone metamorphosis and is “back” as the Industrial Development Corporation – (IDC). This in my view was a good decision and must be commended.
Other than the utilities which are under several forms of threats, many of the entities I talked about are no more. They were privatised and frankly, talking about privatisation in piece meal without dealing with the anchor and engine of the programme, will not suffice.
It is simply a reminder that after all, white collar crime is real and a menace to nationhood and development.
Here is the problem. Privatisation and liquidation of state assets, was a government programme intended to achieve efficiency and better productivity. Some lawyers, accountants and prominent government functionaries, including politicians, were seriously, involved and harvested handsomely.
So, there is no need to mention any name because twenty years ago is not so long and documentation with details is abundant. Real pointers, suggesting mischief, can be found at the Ministries of Justice, Ministry of Commerce and wherever the records of the defunct Zambia Privatisation Agency are, not to leave out various news outlets.
We can all trace the individuals who were high in government either as technocrats or as politicians. Some are now conveniently on the other side of the road attacking and criticising government decisions and some are on the “middle,” while some call themselves businessmen, but in reality are double-dealers and agents of convenience.
The reality that I seek to address is that I see neither reason nor cause for a decision or decisions reached to literally transfer government Money and Assets into private hands. If privatisation was in reality about destabilising Zambia in the long haul, then I think this was a major political lapse whose consequences face us today. But that is it. We lapsed and it was done with a few will always be smiling!
Yes, Zambia Airways was liquidated, with so many citizens and other travellers greatly inconvenienced. There is now talk of re-introducing the National Airline and I am not too sure how this will work out given the fact that there are private airlines seeking to firmly establish themselves.
While in all fairness, they stepped in and have been providing a service that Zambia Airways, once so ably did, there are challenges of penetration, which only government can deal with.
What lesson did we learn? Was it really necessary for the Vice President then, who was Acting President, to have addressed the Nation and break the unexpected and less than rationale news of the winding up of Zambia Airways? This calls for a reality check given the smooth “transition” at ZANACO and the benefits to the nation thereto, as evidenced.
In pushing the agenda of a reality check, we need to ask ourselves critical questions. For instance, if we do not maintain our utilities and knowingly or unknowingly destroy our assets, which and who in reality provide the much needed services, who else do we expect to maintain and care for them?
By “rejecting” the important aspect of paying for the services provided by these utilities, are we willing to put up with substandard services? Do we agree that sub-standard services are a minus in every conceivable manner?
As a result of the drought that hit Southern Africa last year, the Southern African region experienced a major crisis evidenced by massive load shedding and onerous importation of electric power and food. We paid a premium for importing electricity and food, all essential for life and industry.
Zambia was fortunate in that it only imported electric power and not the then scarce but essential commodity of Maize. Importing the duo of Maize and Electric power, would have been an economic disaster. I truly think that our economic minds must begin to look at things differently and see how best Zambia can navigate itself out of economic captivity.
The sketch of developments outlined above, clearly points to the fact that there is more than the eye meets. We must address the fundamentals of Zambian ownership of assets and genuinely answer the question: Whose Capital and Whose State?
A good and honest answer will indicate that we need to STOP THE BUSINESS OF SPLITTING HAIRS. One Zambia, One Nation, is our cry and let us not forget that we subscribe to the rule of law, as a commitment to constitutionalism.
With regard to increments in prices of services, there is no doubt that an increase in any of the utility services contributes towards hardships. Interestingly, this is at a time when statistics do not show a decline in the consumption of optional products such as Alcohol, Talk-Time or luxuries such as the sales on Brazilian Hair and cosmetics. Mushrooming of shopping malls!
Most of these products are dependent on energy, so much so that interrogating energy as an essential commodity is more than urgent.
I have made mention of the entities above which are no more and I opinion as thus: Part of the challenge is beyond impunity, suggesting criminality. Namely, doing things recklessly and taking advantage of legal/policy gaps in defiance of responsibility and public policy.
By definition, integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. Just look at how mothers care for their babies? At some point all that are living today, were totally dependent. It would have been tragic, if the parents never cared for their young ones as we see in the so called phenomena of “street-kids.”
The “Street-kids” do not choose to be on the street but circumstances which have to do with neglect by the elderly, beyond consanguinity.
Neglecting anything, any duty, any obligation or indeed paying little or no attention to what must be done, is in the long run, very, very costly.
We managed Zambia Airways in a manner that demonstrated a serious lack of a duty of care. The same can be said of ZIMCO, INDECO, ZCCM and many others.
Our actions and inactions, made it very easy for other Agendas to come in and fill the gap. This is tragic and part of the problem of historical indecisions not to prioritise alternative investigations.
We remain expectant from those who develop new technologies, with the consequence that we have to play catch-up most times. My view is that the option and practice of playing catchup is not sustainable. It is a dependency syndrome which can if permitted result in a form of paralysis.
Look at the low cut jeans. I do not think that these are appropriate for Africans but the African mindset has been so besmirched such that it is unwilling to challenge the status quo.
I complained of a steak in a Southern African country a few years ago and the lady who was waiting upon me said, “But the white man there is eating, so I do not know what your issue is.”
My dear readers, we have absolutely no choice but to embark on a process of self sufficiency, only looking towards Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), as a bonus. We should not forget that ODA or indeed Foreign Direct Investments are not yet rights to be claimed.
My assessment therefore is that we need to be as patriotic as our National Anthem demands. I am happy that only last week, President Edgar C. Lungu demonstrated his agreement and support for higher education when he officiated at a University of Zambia, function. Relevant officers must act promptly.
If we do not invest in education, training and managing knowledge, we shall continue implementing and experimenting unsustainable projects and programmes. Costly failure, mockery and over-dependence will as a consequence, remain “prominent.”