The Presidential Gulfstream plane, which cost US$194.9 million to buy, would never be used by President Hakainde Hichilema, according to his commitment.
Mr. Hichilema claimed that the cost of the presidential jet was extremely high and that he did not want to be questioned by the legal community as a result.
The Head of State spoke today in Livingstone at the 10th annual Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) conference.
He further pleaded with LAZ to help fight corruption in the nation.
“I will never ride the USD$194 million Gulfstream because collosal sums was spent. I do not want LAZ to follow me asking questions,” he said.
According to Mr. Hichilema, fighting corruption and recovering assets are necessary so that funds can be directed toward well-intentioned development programs.
He stated that in order to achieve economic rebuilding, LAZ must participate in the fight against corruption.
“LAZ and other professions have a role to play in reconstruction of our country. That is why they need to be part of what is happening in the economy. For example, we have enacted a Law that no debt will be acquired without parliamentary approval because in the past, a lot of money had been lost. So lawyers should also play a role in understanding the economy,” he said.
