‘Modern businesses thrive on partnerships’

IT is the trend worldwide to enter into partnerships in running companies to ensure profitability.

University of Zambia Development Studies Lecturer Alex Ngoma said there was nothing wrong therefore for the revived Zambia Airways to partner with Ethiopian Airways

Dr Ngoma told the Daily Nation in an interview that the partnership with an experienced airline such as Ethiopian Airways will not only bring ideas to Zambia Airways but the much-needed resources and experienced manpower.

He said it was currently the trend worldwide for partnerships to emerge in running parastatals.

Dr Ngoma said the assumption by some critics that most parastatals had not been doing well and therefore Zambia Airways would be a failure was only meant at frustrating government efforts.

“Government has in fact decided to make a partnership with Ethiopian Airways, because they want to enhance efficiency and we know that Ethiopian Airways is one of the most experienced airlines in the world and such a partnership to me is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Dr Ngoma appealed to critics to offer suggestions on how parastatals in the country should be run unlike just being armchair critics.

He said people should avoid being emotional towards matters of national concern and support government by providing solutions.

“Zambia is poised for success and all we have to do is put our hands together and not only sit back and condemn each and every decision government makes.

“The confusion only delays development because people should be able to stand up and give government what they feel are the best approaches unlike just criticising,” Dr Ngoma said.

Dr Ngoma commended government for deciding to relaunch the airline as in the recent past the Zambian skyways were only dominated by foreign airlines.

He said it was sad that Zambia Airways was initially liquidated when it was not insolvent.

Dr Ngoma said Zambia Airways had assets across the country when it was liquidated in the Chiluba regime and it was just a matter of picking it up from there.