Minister of Information and Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi has said that there are no plans to sell ZESCO and that the restructuring of ZESCO does not mean selling, but rather improving operations and increasing efficiency of the power utility.
In a statement released to the media, Ms.Kasanda accused the opposition of being still bent on misinforming the public even in the face of clear facts on the table.
The Minister also said that the government has not reached a clear position regarding the Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines, adding that the Minister of Mines and his team have their hands on deck on holding discussions with various stakeholders to come to an amicable solution and that the government is keen to have these issues resolved for the benefit of all stakeholders in the mining industry.
Below is the full statement
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, HON. CHUSHI KASANDA, MP ON INDENI, KCM, MOPANI AND ZESCO
Lusaka, Thursday, 13 January 2022 –
The government has noted the misinformation and falsehoods being peddled by the opposition Patriotic Front on several issues regarding the economy in general and on strategic national assets in particular.
While Government is open to the opposition providing checks and balances, we would like them to do so with facts.
The correct and official position of the Government on the matters that have been raised is as follows:
Last week a delegation of four ministers visited Indeni Oil Refinery and informed workers of the new business model to which the workers will be part of. But before transitioning to the new business model, all the workers will be paid their dues.
The deliberations of this meeting were widely disseminated in the media. But it seems the opposition is still bent on misinforming the public even in the face of clear facts on the table.
There are no plans to sell Zesco. Restructuring does not mean selling. It is about improving operations and increasing efficiency of the power utility. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which is the holding company of all SOEs, gave guidance on that early this week. Again this was reported widely in the media.
The Minister of Mines and his team have their hands on deck on Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines.
The government is holding discussions with various stakeholders to come to an amicable solution. Government is keen to have these issues resolved for the benefit of all stakeholders in the mining industry. Government is fully aware of the anxieties that the issues surrounding these two mines have caused not only on the Copperbelt, but on the whole economy.
Government would like to urge all stakeholders in the energy and mining industries to exercise patience as it deals with these issues. Once a definite position has been arrived at, Government will accordingly inform the nation.
Issued by:
Chushi Kasanda, MP
Minister of Information and Chief Government Spokesperson
how do you pick calls? The hand bag goes under the desk mama-healthy and safety rules boss-or are you advertising for someone? IN which case you have to declare the dividends/
Very sharp minister, different form the past regimes
Another MINISTER will come to tell us why ZESCO is being sold.
How will you unbundle ZESCO in a language that the citizenry can actually understand?
Please note that ZESCO is not being unbundled, what has been commissioned is a study on how Zesco can be unbundled and made efficient. The descision to unbundle will come after the study. The study will advise to or not to unbundle. UPND as a very responsible government does things in a careful manner
Be clear madam on this issue and give details of how this is going to be done otherwise pf propaganda is metastasizing and people will soon start thinking this is 3d version of privatisation….
Why not. Thats not fair to the country. That company is limpig and it doesn’t serve the country well. Don’t pay attention to the noise frm felow politicians. Please sell that damn company. Its employees ar so corupt they hv to be paid to connect power to yo house. The mines were sold and wats so special about zesco..
Please please sell that company. privatised companies are operating better than state owned companies. dont be bothered by the cheap talk against the sell of the company please. how many compnaies have been sold before and how are they operating. sell zesco please
You have already sold this country to IMF my chi seksy friend.
Lost soul
The minister is as usual very clear and thorough in her communication all the time. One of the best ministers, communicates when it is necessary, very level headed, right temperament for a leader. Keep it up madam, As Zambians we are proud of you
She has said Zesco is not for sale and she has no where said Zambia is sold to IMF. Dandala heads are just a problem
We wait
Very responsible government this one with sober ministers, Chushi very outstanding so far. No contest
I like the baby face . Very able and good minister. UPND will deliver, not those rejected PF chaps who promised more money in peoples pockets and in ten years there was none
We have multiple aliases of the same person above trying hard to support this minister………..
She is too slow, only after people complained is she acting on providing information
Ohoo don’t sell Zesco
In simple terms when you unbundle the institution you creat room for more capital, which in this case comes from an investor who buys shares from one or two separate bundles. We know you cant admit IMF has already lined up potential investors to buy huge stakes in those so called Zesco bundles.
So stop confusing poor Zambians.
Definition is of terms is different yes but in practical you are selling Zesco. Or should we put it that you’re renting out? I doubt.
Just another lie from 2.8million lies to the 2.8 million people.
The TOR for the study should clearly state what the Minister’s rigtly said hear and communicated to people It should state what the intent is clearly and allay any misconseption However also it will be wise to continue with current Energy sector reforms and programmes to accerated positive energy Transformation policies and projects to increase capacity and access taking the opportunity in SAPP to become a regional power pool With those unbundling methods this may not be achieved You need to consider also the impact on various sectors of our economy and consequences in the short-term easier way not to see the impact of pricing on the same
For the one thousandth time to HH7 …this woman needs to be moved to another ministry; she is unqualified for this role and she is not clued up!!