By Norbert Mumba
- Firstly the so-called Southern African Business Development Forum is just a NGO. Browsing its website, one doesn’t get the impression that it is within their remit to undertake infrastructure projects as the reference to infrastructure, energy, etc seems to be in a discussion or facilitation context. I have failed to establish the persona behind it and when one clicks a specific segment on “what we are”, such as infrastructure, all one gets is a picture of a road intersection.
- It doesn’t end there I also note the average cost per kilometer of the proposed roads flies right in the face of what UPND as a party promised us. Dividing $3.7bn by 2000km gives me a whopping $1.8m/km against the $500,000 UPND referred us when it challenged the Lusaka to Ndola road. In fact, given that the proposed concession roads are unlikely to be dual carriage, they will be by far more expensive than the road they condemned.
- It is inconceivable that this project, whose returns are supposed to be from the roads (presumably toll) as the main infrastructure and not from import duties per se, would be able to recoup in 25yrs for the following reasons; i) you require to raise at least $148m per year or $405,478/day from tolls and duties just to make the $3.7bn. But who will deploy such a colossal amount without profit? If you mark it up at 10% return, the interest expected will be way more than what will be invested. ii) obviously the roads will require very good maintenance otherwise at end of the concession (25yrs) there will be no roads to talk about. So the collections would have to be very high to the extent that there is nothing in it for the government.
- The government promised transparency, not cosmetic transparency so please publish the full agreement for us to see what is in it for the people. Otherwise, this is already a matter for the Anti Corruption Commission. Why would such a mammoth project not be a publicly tendered project? What experience does this Forum, formed a few years ago, have to get a concession that represents over 5000acres of Zambian territory. (to pre-emptive how I arrived at 5000; 2000km x 10m(representing the width of roads including shoulders) then converted to acres. This does not include the land area for physical border infrastructure.
Hon Milupi owes us an explanation to include who is guaranteeing this massive undertaking? The so-called Forum doesn’t have assets. Is this in essence another foreign debt by guarantee? If we talk about debt transparency, we can already count that we are already close to an additional $7bn in less than 120 days
The Author is Norbert Mumba has more than 25 years of senior management experience in Zambia, including 19 years at the Bank of Zambia (BOZ)—a member institution of AFI—where he held numerous positions such as Assistant Director of Regulatory Policy, Licensing, and Liquidations, and Director of Bank Supervision. Mr. Mumba has been a member of several technical committees aimed at reforms of the banking sector at national, regional, and international levels.
We warned you. Hh and his minions are very clever thieves. Actually hh has many years experience in crooked dealings stemming from privatisation when that chi-car-mba sold our parastatals for nothing to receive kickbacks.
Yes this is a good way of bringing checks and balances not just ranting out of thin air. Hope Hon. Milupi will be able to clarify on the points raised.
These guys used fake calculations just to oppose their rivals. People are again in for a rough ride … okay only five years instead of ten years. But suffering will be the same. Put on your seatbelt.
Thought provoking indeed!
An enlightened citizen doing what he’s expected to do in a democracy.
Iam just worried about how this government is insisting on roads construction , there appears to be something sinister in these road projects, the first thing Zambians want is not those criticized roads network during PF government but food on the tables of Zambians and reduced prices of commodities, have people started eating roads in this regime.
People want economy fixed and not just jumping up and down stealing the little that is in the coffers left by PF.
We are being frustrated every day as we read from the news nothing positive is coming to our eyes but discouraging news is the popular news to read is this the change people were voting for.
#6 No one at this moment in time has any ideas on how to honestly put food on our table. Our founding fathers knew where they were coming from and where they were going.
Where was this guy during PF? Can he also scrutiny all road agreements signed by PF including the unsustainable debt incurred. Yes you can raise validate points and the Honourable will be able to answer
#8. Be serious; do you have answers to what Norbert is querying?
IT IS ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS FOR THE GULLIBLE.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Some very valid questions and red flags raised here .
Yeah! I remember those miscalculations on the cost of roads/km from the party of liars.
A party that refers to mere pronouncements as achievement in their first 100 days.
It’s true we told these punkas and their bunch of blind supporters.
The chickens have come home to roost for Bally and his blind minions – much sooner than expected!
” Once beaten twice shy” they say. Those questioning the where abouts of this the author of the article during the PF rule are trivialising a very serious matter. While in opposition Hakainde made everyone believe that everything PF did was theft. He raised our alertness and people must question what he does, Hakainde must be questioned like any other leader. If he is thinking hat he is going to treat us like he treated the MMD govt during privatisation ” aloba Ilya uma” For goodness sake HH must not think that he is untouchable. When the majority realises his schemes, he will be sorry in no time.
Throwing a red herring………..
Is a term usually used where an intelligence advised goverment puts out snipets of information to smoke out liers and noise makers………….
Usually by the time the main body of information is released, the noise makers and liers think they have had their dinner……….
Only to find themselves looking like imbeciles in the eyes of the public…………
Looks like the usual loudmouths are not taking the bait………..
People don’t read…The contract was signed by PF . The office of the vice president signed this agreement. Don’t just comment, research and then comment.
The Author didn’t research, the agreement was signed by PF government not UPND.
This rotten fish goes way back to PF when they ratified the toxic deal. HH would do well to throw it out like a deformed fetus.
#16 Kevin…yes signed by PF but look at how proud Milupi is about it. He’s falling over himself.
Business men and politics don’t mix. There is too much conflict of interest. We trust these guys to do their due diligence but if all this is true then this drive for professional services in Zambia is questionable.
Ati the deal was signed by PF??? Is PF still in power? What a bunch of jokers ??
@16 Kevin, @17 Mweene Michene, @18 Mlevi Kachasu, it is you who don’t read. The concession agreement with the Southern Africa Business Development Forum signed by former Vice President, Madam Inonge Wina on August 11, 2021, was for the development of 93 resettlement schemes camps in all provinces of this country. The one signed by Charles Milupi and the New Dawn government involves development of roads and related infrastructure in Northwestern Rhodesia only, at a very exorbitant cost with an organization that no longer exists. .
Correction: The agreement was signed by former Vice President, Madam Inonge Wina on August 10, 2021.
Those criticizing forget one cardinal point: This is what democracy is about. The citizens have to query and question everything a government does.
So now we wait for Milupi and others to respond. Oh and Kaizar B@tsh!t should seek medication for his chronic mouth diarrhea.
Someone noted that the proposal is more expensive per kilometer than the dual carriage Lusaka to Ndola. Another one said it’s because the proposal will include Bridges. Then I laughed because even the Lusaka Ndola will include bridges and what about compensating people who will be disturbed…. the proposal will mostly use existing roadways. I end here.
Milupi is a rich man, funny that he can choose jail over his wealth
#26luwas. Wealth is relative. There’s competition among the rich to be richer than others. IMPIYA TA SHIFULA. Also money used during campaigns must be recovered.
Now if the contract was signed by PF and something is wrong with it why continue with it??????
People we have said enough, let Hon Milupi respond. Or who will respond in this regard? the Analysis is very good and the Minister needs to give clarity on the same. I truly trust that Bally cannot allow such a questionable project to proceed. I keep my fingers crossed.