By SILUMESI MALUMO
MEMBERS of Parlaiment were yesterday riled by the ethnic tone of some opposition parliamentarians over the appointment of Christopher Mvunga as Bank of Zambia Governor.
All the opposition members who spoke opposed Mr Mvunga’s appointment on the pretext that it was ethnic, that he was a PF cadre and had never studied macroeconomics.
Monze Central MP, Jack Mwiimbu, refused to support the ratification of Mr Mvunga, stating that he was appointed because he was a PF cadre.
Liawa MP, Situmbeko Musokotwane claimed that macroeconomics was a requirement for someone to hold the position of Bank of Zambia Governor.
Shiwang’andu MP, Stephen Kampyongo however said Mr Mvunga should not be looked down upon based on ethnicity.
Mr Kampyongo said President Edgar Lungu who appointed Mr Mvunga was also the one who appointed his predecessor, Denny Kalyalya who hails from Southern Province.
Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda also said there was no law in Zambia that stipulated macroeconomics as a requirement for someone to head the central bank.
Mr Lubinda wondered why individuals who shunned the on-going constitution refinement process now want to sneak in new laws into the Constitution. He also said Mr Mvunga had never held any position in PF for him to be labelled a cadre.
“Mr Mvunga was a nominated MP,” he said.
And Munali MP, Professor Nkandu Luo observed that Zambians like looking down on one another, saying that Mr Mvunga was a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certfied Accountants of United Kingdom and was Africa Region Head for the Standard Chartered Bank.
Prof Luo said Mr Mvunga had extensive experience in the financial sector and had served in different portfolios in the region.
Parliament yesterday ratified the appointment of Mr Mvunga as Bank of Zambia Governor.
In August 2020, President Edgar Lungu appointed Mr Mvunga as central bank Governor replacing Dr Kalyalya.
Debating the ratification of Mr Mvunga, Independent Kantanshi MP, Anthony Mumba, who seconded the motion to ratify Mr Mvunga said under the economic hardship which the country was facing there was need for a fresh mind to revamp the economy.
Minister of Finance, Dr Bwalya Ng’andu said Mr Mvunga was the right person to serve as Governor because of his vast experience.
Dr Ng’andu said Mr Mvunga had served 30 years in the banking sector and the experience he had warranted him to be a Governor.
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