Kambwili takes armchair critics to school

GOVERNMENT says those criticising its acquisition of the US$ 1.25 billion Eurobond for infrastructure development are mere detractors who are politicking.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Chishimba Kambwili said Government has put in place all the necessary measures to ensure that the country does not get into a debt trap as a result of borrowing.
Mr Kambwili, who is chief government spokesperson, said in an interview yesterday that Government borrows to improve infrastructure such as in the education sector because some schools are currently in a deplorable state.

“I want to challenge some non-governmental organisations and opposition political parties criticising Government that I am extending an olive branch to them to accompany me to tour rural areas so that they see for themselves the state of the infrastructure,” he said.
The minister said those issuing negative statements over the borrowed funds are armchair critics who do not have information on the ground.

Mr Kambwili said Government has taken a bold decision to improve infrastructure, which has been in a bad state even after 50 years of independence.
He said most of the NGOs and political parties that are making ‘noise’ are based in Lusaka and have little understanding of what happens in the rural areas.

Mr Kambwili said Government is not in power to satisfy NGOs but has a mandate to look after the welfare of the majority citizens.
He said infrastructure such as teachers’ houses is deplorable and this has forced some teachers to live in classrooms.
Mr Kambwili said that the US$1.25 billion Eurobond will help to develop infrastructure in rural areas.

Rainbow Party president Wynter Kabimba, who was in Government when Government borrowed the US$750 million Eurobond, has now criticised Government over the newest borrowing.