Suspended Education ministry staff appeal to Veep
IT is surprising that some sections of society are claiming that Zambia will be sold to China because of debt when in fact we have more debt from the West compared to the Asian country, says Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Roland Chitotela. Mr Chitotela assured Parliament yesterday, that none of Zambia’s national assets had been put on the line or as collateral because of debt owed to China. The minister said the opposition had put up a deliberate sustained campaign which was aimed at scandalising Zambia’s relation with China as it was yielding desired results. Mr Chitotela who is Pambashe lawmaker said the opposition were desperate as they had realised that the Government was delivering and that they did not have any other way to attract electorates apart from scandalising the ZambiaChina relations. “I would like to assure the House that none of Zambia’s national assets have been put on the line because of the debt owed. “It is actually surprising that some sections of society are alleging that Zambia will be sold to China were we have less debt compared to the West,” he said. Mr Chitotela wondered how a responsible Government could sell a country which they so wished to govern. And in his ministerial statement, the minister said Government would continue with its proactive stance on the development of aviation infrastructure in the country. The minister said Zambia would have its own flag carrier next year in the first quarter. He said three countries namely, Turkey, Zimbabwe and Tanzania have expressed interest to fly direct flights into Zambia. Mr Chitotela said Government through his ministry was determined to ensure that all current works on construction of airports were completed and matched international standards. And Parliament yesterday resolved to suspend Standing Orders 20,21 and 32 (1) to enable the House to convene at 15:15 hours today, in order to allow Minister of Finance, Margaret Mwanakatwe present the 2019 Budget.
The opposition were desperate as they had realised that the Government was delivering and that they did not have any other way to attract electorates apart from scandalising the ZambiaChina relations.— Mr. Chitotela