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Rupiah is about to hike fuel prices – Sata

Rupiah is about to hike fuel prices – Sata
By George Chellah
Thu 26 Nov. 2009, 04:02 CAT

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) leader Michael Sata yesterday disclosed that President Rupiah Banda is about to hike fuel prices because he wants Zambians to begin subsidising thieves that are involved in its procurement by increasing the pump price.

In an interview, Sata wondered why the fuel situation in the country has remained unstable despite several government assurances.

“We were told fuel is going to stabilise in less than two weeks. Now the donors are on our necks because the government has been subsidising corruption,” he said.

Sata revealed that the Zambian government was under pressure from donors, hence its intention to increase the fuel pump price in a few weeks’ time.

“The Zambian government is under pressure from the donors because they have made it clear to them that they are not willing to continue pumping in money when it’s only a few people that are benefiting,” Sata said.

“That’s why in the next few weeks, the price of fuel will go up because the Zambian government is under pressure from donors. So Zambians at the pump are now going to subsidise thieves, lazos.”

Sata said government leaders want to lump the burden on Zambians as they wax in fat. He said that was why Indeni Oil Refinery was engulfed in endless problems so that thieves continue to make money.

“If in two weeks time they increase the price of fuel, how are we going to do agriculture? That will contradict Rupiah himself who is busy launching the farming season,” he said.

Sata said no action has been taken on the fuel crisis because President Banda is linked to it.

“The reason why heads have not rolled in the fuel industry is because Rupiah is fully aware because he is the one who is on the wheel, he can’t fire himself. I will not be surprised if the whole Cabinet flies to Nigeria for prayers to Prophet TB Joshua,” Sata said.

“We know the fuel problem and I warned the people of Zambia. There are people who want to make a kill, the money keeps on going in their pockets. I have warned the President before that his tolerance of corruption in this industry makes us believe that he is fully involved.

“We were told that they are going to rectify it but it’s more than two weeks. For how long are we going to tolerate this?”

Sata said Zambians should be as brave as former defence minister George Mpombo and science and technology minister Gabriel Namulambe.

“I have nothing to regret. I reconciled with Levy before he died just like I have reconciled with the young man Hichilema. Namulambe and Mpombo should be saluted. Shikapwasha left Heritage Party to join his in-law [late Levy Mwanawasa) but he has now joined Rupiah, he doesn’t even defend the Levy legacy,” Sata said.

“Namulambe and Mpombo have not rebelled. They are just speaking out and I would love to have such people in Cabinet when we get into office.”

And Sata has written to Inspector General of police Francis Kabonde over police officers’ rent arrears in Western Province.

“We have received a complaint from Zambia Police service officers who are threatened with eviction from their rented houses. Mr Inspector General you very well know that apart from the police officers on contract, the rest of the police service conditions of service are very poor,” read Sata’s letter dated November 25, 2009 in part.

“They work under very difficult and unbearable conditions for a Zambian civil servant. Your command cannot add extra hardship on these officers. We are told that the situation in Western division is applicable to all divisions of Zambia Police. Would you please clear all the rental arrears owing to the landlords accommodating our gallant police officers all over the country.”

Labels: CORRUPTION, INFLATION, RUPIAH BANDA, SATA

posted by MrK @ 11:56 AM