Maravi

(LUSAKAIMTES) HH benefitted from privatisation — Siliya

HH benefitted from privatisation — Siliya
Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 7:52

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya yesterday said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema benefited from the privatisation of parastatal companies although he is now condemning the policy.

Ms Siliya said records at the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Ministry of Finance show the UPND leader participated and benefited from the privatisation programme.

She urged Mr Hichilema to reconcile his sentiments on Radio Phoenix’s ‘Let the People Talk’ programme with the history of privatisation in the country and confirm that records available indicate that he was an active participant in the sale of companies.

In an interview from Johannesburg, Ms Siliya said Mr Hichilema sat and led some teams that were tasked with the privatisation of companies, including sitting on committees that spearheaded the process.

Ms Siliya, who is minister of education, said the UPND leader must show maturity in his politics rather than pour scorn on a process he knows too well and collected commissions and other fees amounting to US$12 million.

She said the Government had details about the privatisation process at the ZDA and the Ministry of Finance which were available and warned Mr Hichilema to avoid cheap politics.

Ms Siliya, who is minister of education, said the UPND leader must show maturity in his politics rather than pour scorn on a process he knows too well and collected commissions and other fees amounting to US$12 million.She described Mr Hichilema as immature and driven by political vindictiveness owing to his crude language against other political actors.

She advised Mr Hichilema to respect court verdicts that cleared her of allegations of impropriety while she was minister of Communications and Transport.

Featuring on Radio Phoenix’s ‘Let the People Talk’ programme, Mr Hichilema said 51 per cent shares in Zamtel should have been sold to Zambians and that Libya’s Lap GreenN should have bought a 49 per cent stake in Zamtel.

Mr Hichilema also denied having participated in the sale of Roan Antelope Mining Corporation as the company was only sold to Binani Group of Companies between 1997 and 1998 and he was never part of the process that led to its sale.

He denied having received the $12 million and challenged Government to check his books of accounts at Barclays Bank where his money has been deposited for 27 years.

Mr Hichilema also called for a system that would allow Zambians access investment licences, which they should use as contributions towards the formation of joint ventures with foreign nationals wishing to invest in Zambia.

He denied having received the $12 million and challenged Government to check his books of accounts at Barclays Bank where his money has been deposited for 27 years.But Ms Siliya said Mr Hichilema lacked the political acumen to allow him to lead Zambia and his ideas showed he was merely a comedian who was about to enter a pact without a future.

She dismissed Mr Hichilema’s sentiments that the ruling party was jittery following the launch of the pact and assured Zambians that the MMD would roll to victory in next year’s elections.

Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema has said candidacy for the pact remains an open contest between him and Patriotic Front president Michael Sata because the two leaders hold equal power and chances in the alliance.

Labels: CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, PRIVATISATION, ZAMTEL

posted by MrK @ 3:42 PM