THE Patriotic Front (PF) party has charged that the trending saga of the FTJ Chiluba University in Luapula province is a ploy by the UPND Alliance government to divert people’s attention from real issues on the ground.
PF Acting Secretary-General MCC Hon Nickson Chilangwa said the UPND wants to use the abandoned project to paint the PF as a corrupt party whilst promoting selfish agendas like in the mining sector.
And Hon Chilangwa explained that his role in the project was merely that of administrative because he was the sitting Provincial Minister as everything else was centrally done in Lusaka. He however said it is no secret that successive governments had previously abandoned or suspended projects for various reasons and the FTJ Chiluba University is one of them.
In a press briefing yesterday, Hon Chilangwa said it is in the public domain that a lot of projects that were below 80 per cent completion rate were suspended in under the PF rule but wondered why the party in government wants to indict the party on one project. He has therefore urged journalists to probe the matter and find out whether the money for the FTJ Chiluba University was paid and to whom the money was paid.
“Ba Hon Charles Milupi is sitting next to Hon Situmbeko Musokotwane the Minister of Finance. He should tell him to ask Hon Felix Mutati whether the money was paid because he was our Finance Minister then,” Hon Chilangwa said.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Higher Education Professor Nkandu Luo said the much talked about $33m for the FTJ University is a figure that was split between two universities, FTJ Chiluba University and the Northern University.
Prof. Luo clarified that the money for the construction of the Universities was a loan from the Chinese government.
“If the then Minister of Finance was here, he would have given a proper explanation,” Prof Luo said.
She explained that the government had decided to slow down on all pipeline projects because there were concerns that it had overborrowed.
“FTJ University was still a pipeline project because it was just at no more than 5 per cent completion rate and that meant that it was affected by the decision by Cabinet to slow down on projects below 80 per cent,” Prof. Luo explained.
She said the contractor who had already moved on-site could not proceed because they were waiting for the government to clear the position so that money could be released for the construction of the two universities.
Prof Luo said the Ministry of Higher Education was not involved at any point to disburse funds or give legal opinions but in negotiating that the project should take place.
“Once the project is approved, the necessary paperwork is done through the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s office and the Ministry of Finance before the actual construction can begin,” she added.
The mater is before investigative agencies and soon it will be court, so save your energy as you will be a witness in court.
Whichever authority to split the money when the money was ment for FTJ, that’s misappropriation of funds a criminal offence too.
The more you explain the more thieves will be caught up.
This is why I say PF needs completely new faces as these old brooms only know one tactic and its crying that they are being victimised …are you denying that money didnt disappear?
We’re all interested to see that there’s a sensible explanation of this matter. That’s the reason we don’t want to see politicians take center-stage in this issue. We want Law Enforcement Agencies to give credible updates on their investigations. It was embarrassing to see Chanda Kabwe make mince out of PAC. The Committee claimed that Chanda used to be the first to sign the tender documents yet when the actual document was perused in turned out to be untrue. Politicians aren’t helping the corruption fight. We were told that a councilor had bought a bank but BoZ has stated that there wasn’t such a transaction. It’s difficult to tell who’s telling lies. Can you sober up and see things in their right perspective?
#2 Tarino Orange, there are some reports that these funds were never disbursed and are at some bank in China. It’s only credible investigations that can bring out the truth because politics of today thrive on misinformation. And it seems both the PF and the UPND are enjoying trading accusations and counter-accusations; they’re having fun
If the government released these funds and paid the contractor based on what has been presented thus far, then they were disbursed. The issue is why has the contract failed to move on site with such a huge down-payment?
I agree partly that UPND Alliance is on the path to ensure people rise against the main opposition party PF. The govt has messed up big time and wants people to direct their anger towards the opposition hence the inflammation of the news on FTJ University project. But why are Mutati and Musokotwane over these allegations and enjoy watching the game from the terraces? Ba PF we need proper coordinated explanation on this matter or else your stronghold in Luapula will soon slide out of your hand.
Bally we’re watching you on the scramble for the mines taking place during your reign whilst you have offered your cadres the dump site as economic benefits.
Clearly the new regime had promised us mountains of what they will do but alas we’re not anywhere near redemption as can be seen it is very disappointing that all the three investigative wings are now under state house putting undue pressure on them to deliver even when and/or where there are no credible evidence
UPND leadership is raising the bar above PF by downgrading PF values because the arrow for the bar they have set themselves is pointing down with respect to time. A positive and forward looking leadership would quickly look at the importance of completing FTJ university commit to finish it. Instead, they choose to mislead Zambians by falsely blaming PF.
UPND leadership is raising the bar above PF by downgrading PF values because the arrow for the bar they have set themselves is pointing down with respect to time. A positive and forward looking leadership would quickly look at the importance of completing FTJ universit and commit to finish it. Instead, they choose to mislead Zambians by falsely blaming PF.
Even on this article the upnd f00Is are commenting about pf. Before they know it, it will be 2026 and these f00Is would have achieved nothing. Pf is bouncing back. I put my kids lives on it
Ayatollah – Yes I agree but for the sake of democracy PF needs fresh faces.
BRING ON 2026 CANT WAIT !!
PF CANNOT SEE WHATS GOING ON
SAME FACES DIFFERENT STORIES
THEY WILL NEVER LEARN IT SEEMS PAST POWER HAS MADE THEM DRUNK
WHY ARE WE ADVISING THEM ANYWAY AFTER WHAT THEY DID TO THE COUNTRY
In 2018 Mr. Chilangwa stated that government is mobilizing adequate resources for the project to run without stopping.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Chilangwa told journalists in Mansa today that President Edgar Lungu is expected to re-launch the construction of the university in Mansa before March 31, this year. He explained that government has a robust plan to build and complete FTJ University within 36 months until its completion. Mr. Chilangwa said the institution will be the only university to have a full sports faculty in the country adding it will also offer programmes that will be relevant to Luapula Province.
Then today he gives this excuse of his role in the project was merely that of administrative because he was the sitting Provincial Minister as everything else was centrally done…
Development and the fight against corruption are not mutually exclusive. The Government can do both at the same time. PF, unfortunately, there is not much empathy for you in Zambia.
Please please the clock is ticking let the real issues on the table be addressed. Zambians can no longer be fooled.
Once upon time,people boasted that they would deliver instantly once given the opportunity to do so. Not so long they realised that the task they were charged with to undertake was seemingly overwhelming them, and was difficult, would be drowned by it. From nowhere people started talking about Kazungula pontoon,because for many years it was difficult to cross the Zambezi.Sad to say that this Zambezi river swallowed many lives despite pontoon. One muchona abroad asked, “Is there anything new that has replaced Kazungula pontoon to save the lives of people?”
#4 @Ayatollah. Incredible!, you cite Tayali Chilufya as your credible source that $33 million is safe at a Chinese bank. That speaks volumes of your intelligence and character. Begging question is, if $33 million is safe somewhere, why the hollabaloo over it.
The lies they fed us “The Ministry of Higher Education says it is confident that China Energy Engineering Group will complete the construction of the Fredrick Titus Chiluba (FTJ) University in Luapula within the contracted 24 months period. Ministry Spokesperson Kawanda Chiselwa told ZANIS in Mansa yesterday that the Ministry is confident that the contractor will perform to government’s expectations and deliver the project on schedule”
And now, former Minister of Higher Education Professor Nkandu Luo said the much talked about $33m for the FTJ University is a figure that was split between two universities, FTJ Chiluba University and the Northern University.
$33 million of Zambian tax payers money is safe at a Chinese Bank.How ridiculous.
Yet in the last 2 years , ECL and the PF failed to pay retirees and defaulted on loan payments.
@10 – Just as UPND in opposition, was encouraged and supported, it is every citizen’s duty to encourage and support opposition parties, so that we don’t return to one party rule. That is the way of democracy. Therefore, it is well and good to advise PF on the best way forward. They must be competitive – and at the end of it, we will choose the best contender!
#plant a tree please.
The above seems to want us to persuade the devil to change its evil ways grrr
Stup!d KZ, I feel sorry for those kids ( if you really got any) they are going round the Belmarsh area where you live with their little wheel barrows, begging for food. The ten years in power from PF has only brought empty coffers and empty stomachs. And 2026? PF won’t even be on the ballot!
This bunch of people is completely disoriented and lost. The should simply tell the nation what happened and where the money was diverted to. The rhetoric being perpetrated by the PF will not help them gain the trust they completely lost. No wonder majority people that this group should save face and stay away from representing the PF if it has to be saved and stay relevant to the Zambian politics!
So if you are saying you abandoned the project then what happened to the money because those structures cannot even cost $100000.
No corruption are you smoking Hhs cow dung? What is belmarsh? You are a deluded f00I talking about my kids
Praise Team Singers don’t know what they are praise singing for the people who lied to them, opposed vehemently the infrastructuer development, the creation of new district, thank you PF for creating the LUPOSOSHI district, where is my ancentery belongs,.Bishop Banda alandeko, ati he is not the man of God, but those who supported in opposition and belonged to some so called mother bodies and those who were civil servants have been promoted as a result of supporting them while in opposition.Double standards at thier best!!!!