‘Nationalize all corruptly privatized companies’
A CONSORTIUM of 16 opposition political parties has called for repossession and nationalisation of all state companies that were corruptly privatized.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, National Revolution Party (NRP) leader Dr Cozmo Mumba said a lot of Zambians have died and some continue to suffer because of the manner the privatisation was undertaken by those mandated to sell state asserts on behalf of the people.
He said his late father and grandfather are part of the many Zambians who were affected by the privatisation of state companies and called on President Edgar Lungu and his Government to consider repossessing any state asset that was dubiously sold without Zambians benefiting.
Mr Mumba said as a result of some unpatriotic people some of whom were aspiring for the highest office in the land, having mismanaged the privatisation process, many citizens were thrown into destitution.
“Our appeal to President Lungu is that he should on behalf of Zambians reposes all state companies that were sold,” he said.
He said even the economic problems the country was facing was as a result of some selfish individuals who took advantage of a well-intended privatisation program which was aimed at making parastatal companies
viable to enrich themselves at the expense of many Zambians.
“How then can Zambians allow the same person who stole from them to lead them as President. That’s the reason Zambians are saying Government should set up a Commission of inquiry so that the truth can be known,” said Mr Mumba.
And speaking at the same briefing, Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) Edwin Sakala called for speedy investigation of the privatisation process so that the past ills can be addressed.
He said a lot of people are suffering because some few unpatriotic individuals decided to enrich themselves during the privatisation program.