By Isaac Zulu
Patriot Front national chairman Davies Chama claims that his local investor friend is taking all his companies to Tanzania because of UPND pettiness and low investor confidence in the country.
And Chama has charged that President Hakainde Hichilema has proved to be a hypocrite by not honouring his electoral promise of cutting on international trips, something he said the current Head of State constantly raised some condemnations on his predecessors when he was in opposition.
In an interview, Chama said that the removal of fuel subsidies and the increase in electricity tariffs have led to the high cost of doing business, leading to low investor confidence.
“I can tell you that my friend who is a Zambian, a local investor, was telling me that he is taking all his companies to Tanzania because of the pettiness by the UPND government to pursue anyone who is doing well in business, or is doing something progressive. You heard today the submissions made by Kafue Steels to the Energy Regulation Board that if the proposed electricity tariffs by ZESCO are effected, Kafue Steels might be closed; meaning that 1,500 people will lose jobs. That also entails that the people who depend on those 1,500 workers will be affected,” Chama said. “You also heard the statement by SAVENDA, who employee about 800 workers, saying that they will reduce the workforce by 70 per cent. The UPND government has removed subsidies on fuel and they have increased electricity tariffs. So there’s generally low investor confidence; both local and international. And because of that the President is under pressure to restore investor confidence, which he promised the Zambian people.”
And Chama said that President Hichilema is being hypocritical by not honouring his electoral promise of cutting international trips, something he said the Head of State constantly raised some condemnations on against his predecessors.
Chama recalled that, while in opposition, President Hichilema condemned late former president Rupiah Banda to an extent of calling him names, and wondered why he is exhibiting some hypocrisy on the same now that he is Republican President.
“This is the man who constantly raised some condemnations against his predecessors on the issue of foreign making trips. He condemned late president Rupiah Bwezani Banda, may his soul rest in peace, to an extent of calling him all sorts of names. But during his memorial, he said a lot of good things about Rupiah Banda. Nomba balanda ati insoni e buntu,” Chama explained. “And when president Edgar Lungu became Republican President, the current Head of State heavily condemned him. But today he is making foreign trip after foreign trip. Sometimes the man does have the required delegation, such that he is the one who even takes notes during International engagements.”
He said that all the international trips that the Head of State has made so far have not benefited Zambians, saying by the time his term comes to an end, President Hichilema will break the record of being the most travelled President in Zambia.
“They said that when they form government they will bring in foreign investment worth $24,000. But up to today that investment has not come in the country. It has just been rhetoric and has not benefted Zambians. But since President Hichilema likes saying this is happening for the first time in Zambia each time he is making a speech, he is going to break the record of being the most travelled President in Zambia,” said Chama.
