I am between opposition and PF …Chinese taking over everything- Kambwili

By NATION REPORTER ROAN Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili yesterday sent members of Parliament into laughter when he said he was neither entirely a member of the Patriotic Front nor of the opposition but that he was between the two.

Mr Kambwili said for the purposes of Parliament he was a Patriotic Front (PF) member but that outside the House he was a consultant.

The PF Roan lawmaker, who was debating a motion on a report of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour matters claimed that the Chinese had taken up most jobs especially in the construction industry such as brickmaking and quarrying which Zambians were able to do.

First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Namugala asked Mr Kambwili to state his political party for the record to which he said PF.

“This idea of giving jobs to Chinese will not make us reach our target of improving or achieving a reasonable small scale and medium enterprise. Let’s work together those in Government and us in opposition to come up with rules and regulations which will favour Zambians,” Mr Kambwili said.

Mr Kambwili urged government to ensure citizens were at the centre of businesses in Zambia.

He said most shopping malls were stocked with goods and products from South Africa or China.

But Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo said Government has put in place necessary laws to empower Zambians.

The minister said there was need for mind-set change among Zambians saying it was shameful that most contractors were abandoning or leaving works incomplete even when given the same conditions as the Chinese.

And in winding up the debate, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Christopher Yaluma said Government would soon come up with a Statutory Instrument (SI) which would give local traders leverage over foreign nationals.