PF Lusaka Province Secretary Kennedy Kamba has reacted angrily to media reports questioning his source of funding for the mansion he has built in New Kasama.

Mr Kamba says he takes great exception to malicious and unfounded allegations meant to tarnish his name, for whatever reason by The Mast Newspaper in their editorial comment of today, headlined; ‘The Time has come for the PF to Leave Government’.

In this Editorial Comment dubbed Our View, The Mast Newspaper has reacted to Mr Kamba’s media statement which he issued a few days ago, where he was expressing his dismay by some doomsayers in the opposition, especially the UPND, who are so much preoccupied with malicious attacks on the PF government and want to sway the minds of the people by claiming that the government has failed and the only way out is the change of government.

Mr Kamba says he has no problems with The mast challenging his point of view or political beliefs, political philosophies or indeed his political association but he has every problem with The Mast getting personal and going to extremes of accusing him of being a scared man who has amassed wealth, that being in power has changed his lifestyle from being a nobody and having nothing to being a rich man, living in a big house with a swimming pool.

He said the Mast has gone further to accuse him of siphoning taxpayers’ money and that he has amassed wealth suddenly now through what they have termed ‘all sorts of supply contracts with government.

“They have further said ‘Without power, Kamba may be prosecuted for corruption and made to account for his wealth. These malicious and unfounded allegations are hurtful, extremely unacceptable and only meant to divert attention from real issues and try to ridicule me in the eyes of the right-thinking Zambians out there”, Mr Kamba lamented.

Mr Kamba says he is not interested in dragging anybody to court and should not be forced to do so if this kind of slander continues but emphasised that everything he owns, all the businesses he has engaged in since 1994 when he left Kitwe Boys Secondary School.

He said he can account for it because it is out of his own sweat and labour.

“I have been involved in politics to serve and not to eat taxpayer’s money. I am not in government myself, and I have never been in government but I have been a businessman who works for himself to fend my family and many other Zambians who look up to be for survival and empowerment”, he added.

“My record in business is traceable. Who doesn’t know that I have been selling assorted liquor with shops dotted around Lusaka before even the PF formed government? People know where to find me even in Kamwala, COMESA, Intercity and all those places. With the help of God, my businesses started booming in the MMD days, way before the PF formed government. On the Copperbelt, my company was doing various maintenance services at Mopani Copper Mines and records are there to show that I was doing all these businesses in the MMD days”, he said.

Mr Kamba said the little that he has in his life is all about hard work adding that his family has seen him through.

He has appealed to The Mast Newspaper to stop such malicious attacks on him and discuss politics and issues that affect Zambians.

“I believe in the PF and its manifesto And I believe the fact that through unity and hard work, inspired by good and sound economic policies of the government of President Edgar Lungu, Zambia is getting better and Zambians will vote for the PF in 2021 because it is a trusted leadership”, he has said.

President Edgar Lungu has said that Zambia’s Economic prospects for 2020 are positive.

Addressing the Diplomatic Corps at State House Thursday afternoon, during during the Annual Greetings events, the President said that projections include a real growth rate of 3 percent and inflation to be maintained within the range of 6 to 8 percent.

President Lungu said this during the Annual Greetings of the Diplomatic Corps at State House Thursday afternoon.

“In addition, the fiscal deficit is expected to reduce to 5.5 percent and domestic revenue mobilization is projected to increase to at least 22 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Fiscal consolidation will continue to be a priority to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth,” he said.

“Furthermore, I wish to announce that this year, the Zambian Government will continue to anchor our efforts on the five development strategic areas of the Seventh National Development Plan. These are economic diversification and job creation; poverty and vulnerability reduction; enhanced human development improvement; development inequalities reduction, and creating a condusive governance environment for a diversified economy. I, therefore, appeal to all of you, for your continued unwavering support.”

On Trade and Investment, President Lungu noted that there is potential for improved partnerships with other governments given Zambia’s focus on economic diversification as well as many investment opportunities Zambia offers.

He emphasized that Zambia continues to offer a favourable business environment based on its strategic location in the region.

“However, like many other countries in the Southern African Region and beyond, the Zambian economy during the rest of 2019 was negatively affected by various issues notably, adverse climate conditions caused by poor rainfall during the 2018/2019 farming season,” said the President.

“This, in turn, negatively affected agricultural production and electricity generation which led to spill-over effects in other sectors. Economic growth was also affected by a decline in copper output, coupled with lower copper prices caused by a reduction in global demand.”

And in giving the votes of thanks, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Jeronimo Chivavi, who is also Mozambique High Commissioner to Zambia, observed the need for greater collaboration in addressing the effects of climate change.

Renowned Zambian UK based Professor Clive Chirwa has designed and manufactured a high roof monocoque bus according to the Provisions of Statutory Instrument (SI) No 79 of 2016.

This is the first ever AUVIV bus to be manufactured according to the Zambian laws.

The City Cruiser mini bus comes with a five-year warranty.

The launch of the bus will be at the New Government Complex in Lusaka on the 6th of February 2020.

According to Prof Chirwa, the mini bus was designed with the highest passenger safety in line with the SI No 79.

“The City mini bus boasts of GPS, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Reverse Radar and Parking Sensors, Rear View Camera and Buzzle alarm and high tech led head lamps. In addition the vehicle comes with a 17 inch overhead LED entertainment screen for video, adverts and movies for the customer’s entertainment,” Prof Chirwa said in an interview.

“The 5 gear manual transmission boasts of 110KW/3400RPM rated power. Under SI No 79, it is a requirement that all imported buses are fitted with belts. The bus has been designed according to the country’s SI laws. The AUVIV Maze runner and City Cruiser have the passenger capacity of 16 and 22. All the seats are fitted with seat belts and other specifications that meet Zambia’s terrain.”

Prof Chirwa said he was compelled to manufacture the bus following the issuance of SI No 79 by the Zambian government.

He said his company consulted and researched on the terrain before designing the bus so as to ensure it meets the demands of the Zambian market.

“The buses will be launched on the 6th of February 2020 in Lusaka. My company is ready to receive orders from transporters. The buses have been certified by reputable institutions. The Transporters should support the manufacturing of buses that meet governments requirement,” Prof Chirwa said.

Prof Chirwa said most of the buses that were imported into the country do meet the requirements of SI No 79.