Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Malanji says government has started full implementation of the Cabinet resolution for Missions abroad to acquire mortgages for construction and purchase of properties to reduce expenditure on rented chanceries and residences.
The Minister said Government is committed to reducing expenditure on rented chanceries and residences for Heads of Mission and Diplomatic Staff in Missions abroad.
“We will put the Statutory Instrument on mortgage financing to full use and through that we are assured that the properties will be ours and we will no longer spend money,” Mr. Malanji said.
The Minister is happy that the Turkish Government has expressed willingness to help the Zambian Mission acquire properties.
On September 7, 2015, Cabinet accepted the recommendation for Missions abroad to acquire mortgages for construction and purchase of properties for chanceries and residences.
He also commended diplomats at the Mission in Ankara for taking interest to learn the Turkish language.
Mr. Malanji said learning the local languages in the host countries is important for diplomats to effectively execute their duties.
He also urged the diplomats to work hard and ensure that they remain relevant to Zambia’s development aspirations.
The Minister said it is unfortunate that he has received reports that diplomats in some missions abroad think they cannot be disciplined.
“No one is untouchable, the Head of Mission is the flag carrier who carries the mandate from the President and you have to support him,” Mr. Malanji said.
And Zambia’s Ambassador designate to the Republic of Turkey, Joseph Chilengi thanked President Lungu and Mr. Malanji for accepting the invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He said Zambia and Turkey have a lot to learn from each other because both countries are going through constitutional amendments, which comes with similar challenges.
President Erdogan won the June 24, 2018 snap Presidential and parliamentary elections with a 52.6 percent first round majority vote to become Turkey’s first Executive President under the new constitution.
Under the new executive presidential system, Turkey will have 16 Ministries while the Prime Minister’s office will be abolished.
This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by First Secretary Press, Embassy of the Republic of Zambia toTurkey Jerry Munthali.
That PF bending of neck to the side, is so annoying.
YAMBANI KUBA MAHAF!!
When this putrid Plunders Federation -(P.F) exits office, Zambians will discover these embassies belong to Jona and his most loyal P.F Cadres, & NOT the Zambian government. Watch this space, hence the thick skulled Cadres falling all over one another to please the thieving master Jona, with silly car registration plates like Lungu 1, Lungu 2021, & Chief Bootlicker.
Will be interesting to see if these goons will still have these number plates, once Jona Pombe is no longer @ Plot No 1.
Another way of asset stripping…some properities will disappear off the books
‘52.6 percent first round majority vote’
Sounds familiar.
No wonder someone is attending the inauguration. They must be classmates.