A consignment of assorted medical logistics and materials worth US$ 66,000 donated by the Turkish Co-operation and Co-ordination Agency (TIKA) as a contribution towards containing the cholera outbreak has arrived in the country.
The donation which was lobbied for by the Zambian Mission in Ankara is expected to be handed over to the Ministry of Health by the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Lusaka tomorrow.
In thanking TIKA for the donation, Charge d’ Affaires of Zambia in Turkey, Bwalya Nondo, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture which he said demonstrates the warm relations that exists between the two countries.
Mr. Nondo noted that the mission is also engaging TIKA on the possibility of supplementing government’s efforts in providing long- term interventions that are necessary in forestalling predisposing factors to waterborne diseases such as cholera.
He indicated that the Zambian mission to Turkey is lobbying TIKA for technical assistance in the improvement and installation of water amenities like taps in high density areas especially those that are not planned for, to ensure residents have access to clean and adequate water.
Mr. Nondo added that the Zambian mission will intensify its engagement with Turkish municipalities for possible twinning with local authorities in Zambia so that out of such interactions, technical assistance in areas such as waste management and water reticulation can be provided.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Mission in Turkey, Jerry Munthali.
I’m trying to think and stay focused on self reliance and self belief but this culture of begging disturbs me always.
Let’s take the English jargon out and analyse the bare points and bizarre planning in this statement from Zambian Govt:-
1. Zambia had an outbreak of Cholera. Zambia had NO plan in place and hence NO means to combat cholera.
2. So, Zambia lobbied for a donation from Turkey to combat Cholera.
3. Turkey was under no known legal obligation to donate anything to Zambia. They have their own overwhelming massive problems to attend to as clearly seen on any international TV news media around the World.
4. But, purely out of sympathy and on a one-off basis, Turkey donated a consignment of assorted medical logistics and materials worth US$ 66,000 in response.
5. In thanking Turkey, Zambian Govt is now outlining its hatched-up plan for the future. The jaw-dropping bizarre Govt plan…
…… Govt plan is: – “will intensify its lobbying with Turkey” for the future so that Turkey can, again out of sympathy, provide technical assistance to combat diseases like cholera.
What is wrong with this picture?
What sort of an able-bodied shameless beggar thanks a sympathetic donor like this?
Turkey currently has overwhelming internal problems compounded with the influx of refugees from Syria and other countries. I think its not in the best interest of friendship to continue asking more help from them. technical support , yes. otherwise it will be shameful behavior on our part.
These current leaders have no understanding of geopolitics …you have our daft lazy President who traveled to Egypt and Israel last year!!
This govt of Lazy Lungu has no shame at all…you have Ambassadors busy lobbying for useless handouts without shame!!