JACKSON CHALLENGES HH OVER PRIVATISATION

Lusaka ~ Thur, 16 June 2022

By Brightwell Chabusha

Leader of the opposition Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) Jackson Silavwe has wondered if President Hakainde Hichilema was completing the privatization agenda of the MMD Government.

Mr Silavwe claimed to have information that Mopani Copper Mine (MCM), Mulungushi textiles, Nitrogen Chemicals Limited, Indeni Petroleum Limited, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) are all earmarked to be sold to pre-selected buyers.

The opposition leader lamented that the said move is unprecedented since the days of the MMD chaotic led privatisation process.

He said this in a statement issued to the media today.

“It is imperative that President Hichilema states the Governments official position on these and other National strategic assets to avoid speculation especially that the Nation has never recovered from the previous privatisation process,” he said.

“President Hichilema should state clearly if he has reignited the dreaded privatisation process that left thousands of our people unemployed, increased poverty levels, created ghost towns and left our Country de-industrialised. Government owes its people a clear explanation.”

And the opposition leader said placing the mentioned strategic assets in foreign hands will never bring any development to our people and the Nation.

“We know this narrative all too well to believe otherwise. Indeed, the New Dawn lacks the political will and capacity to maintain local Zambian ownership and run them profitably,” he said.