Maravi

Rupiah hands over State House

Rupiah hands over State House
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 27 Sep. 2011, 14:40 CAT

FORMER president Rupiah Banda yesterday formally handed over State House to President Michael Sata, who immediately started to operate from there. And President Sata has told the Chinese Ambassador to prevail over Chinese investors to improve working conditions for locals, adhere to labour laws and limit the number of Chinese 'expatriates' coming into Zambia.

President Sata arrived at State House around 10:07 hours and was welcomed by Banda and secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja, State House members of staff, PF central committee member Given Lubinda, Lameck Mangani and other dignitaries.

President Banda greeted President Sata saying: "Welcome Mr President" as they hugged and later proceeded to tour the kitchen, conference rooms and offices.

As they toured a small conference hall, Banda explained to President Sata that that was the place he used for swearing in ceremonies and other meetings.

President Sata was then heard telling Banda: "there is a very big confusion here RB". Banda responded: "yes".

They later proceed and Banda introduced President Sata to his aides. President Sata joked about Dr Francis Chinguta, whom he said was very prominent during campaign. However, President Sata skipped shaking hands with State House spokesperson Dickson Jere, prompting Banda to ask him if he did not know him.

"This...Dickson Jere," Banda introduced him to President Sata. In response, President Sata said: "This one? Mwana wa ku Matero."

A State House Comptroller introduced himself to President Sata saying "I was the comptroller" but the new head of state said: "No! You are still the comptroller until I fire you."

Banda and President Sata later went into a private meeting.

Before President Sata arrived, some State House personnel were seen removing Banda's portraits from the walls and taking them away.

After the orientation, President Sata met Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao, the first diplomat to visit him at State House since his election last week.

President Sata said Zambia and China had been close friends and there were certain misunderstandings that will have to be corrected.

"In 1992, I was in Cabinet when we embarked on privatisation. When we embarked on that privatisation, it is in law that all investors who are coming to Zambia should bring a limited number of the experts for disciplines which they cannot find in Zambia," President Sata said. "We have been saddened, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the past government that my party has taken concern about unlimited number of people your investors are bringing to Zambia."

He told Ambassador Zhou to assist address the issue. He said his government would welcome Chinese investments.

"But as we welcome your investment, your investment should benefit the Zambians, not the Chinese. Both of us must benefit; it must be a two-way traffic. Whilst you benefit financially, we should also benefit," President Sata said. "I am sure you as the new ambassador you will prevail over my colleagues who are investing here to adhere to the local laws. If they adhere to the local laws, there will be no need of us pointing fingers at each other."

He thanked Chinese President Hu Jinato for funding the construction of the Lusaka General Hospital and Ndola football stadium.

"Personally, one time the Chinese were not very happy with me but I paved the way because the Chinese were saying, 'why is this man going to Taiwan?' But you are also going Taiwan now, every day you go to Taiwan. So, without me going there, probably you could not have relaxed the understanding," President Sata said. "But we totally agree that Taiwan or Taipei, Hong Kong and Beijing you are all Chinese people and nobody should divide you. If there is anything, we should assist to consolidate so that you become more united than you have ever been before. It's not our fault that you have a larger population than we have. But as we grow together, we will be able to help."

He urged Ambassador Zhou that there would be need to also review the conditions of service and minimum wages the Chinese offered to Zambians to minimise any conflicts between the two nations.

Ambassador Zhou delivered President Hu's congratulatory letter to President Sata.

In turn, President Sata asked Ambassador Zhou to read the letter.

In his letter, President Hu wished President Sata success in carrying out the lofty mission and pledged to further strengthen Zambia-China relations.

President Hu wrote that China cherished its traditional friendship with Zambia.

On labour issues, Ambassador Zhou said the Chinese government stood for win-win cooperation or mutually beneficial cooperation.

"It's the Chinese government's policy that Chinese companies wherever they are should observe the law of the land and if they violate the laws of the land anywhere in the world, they are not doing good to the people but also damages the image of China," Ambassador Zhou said.

He said he would make sure Chinese companies to follow Zambian laws.

"In this case, we have no difference at all and we can work together. With regard to employment, as far as I know, the Chinese companies want to hire local people because the cost is much cheaper," he said.

President Hu said it was very expensive for any Chinese company to bring a Chinese into Zambia hence they opted to employ locals.

"Economically it's not viable for them to use many Chinese," he said.

He said most of the Chinese companies and projects he had visited were employing locals and paid slightly more than the minimum wage.

"So, if they Chinese investors are telling me the truth, it's not violation of law but it's the problem that they do not meet the expectations of the local people. So let's work together to find out who is getting the real picture," said Ambassador Zhou. "I am sure we are human beings and we are clever and we are in 21st century, we can work problems out so as to make sure that our cooperation benefits both sides."

Labels: CHINESE, MICHAEL SATA, RUPIAH BANDA, STATE HOUSE

posted by MrK @ 6:41 PM