By ROGERS KALERO
THERE is nothing wrong with Foreign Affairs minister Joe Malanji buying a helicopter for business when others not only own planes but have airstrips at their residences, Kwacha constituency chairman Alex Chembo has said.
Mr Chembo said it was strategic timing for Mr Malanji, who is also the Kwacha Member of Parliament (MP) to invest in a business that would be useful for hiring during the upcoming political campaigns.
He has advised Mr Malanji to ignore critics because there are many people with such planes and even landing strips at their residences and no one talks about it.
He said the minister should ignore tantrums from some sections of society over his decision to buy a charter helicopter and focus on campaigning for the August 12 general elections.
He said Mr Malanji was a seasoned businessman who has acquired wealth over a long time and those who want to throw tantrums over his purchase of the helicopter were disgruntled politicians who wanted to gain mileage.
In an Interview in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Chembo said Mr Malanji had been a businessman for a long time and his generosity and wealth could not be questioned by those who know him properly.
“As a constituency, we would like to urge our very able MP to keep eyes on the ball and ignore those tantrums from disgruntled politicians who want to create a storm over his decision to buy a helicopter for his business.
“Mr Malanji started his businesses a long time ago. He owns a lot of businesses within and outside the country. He has a lot of buildings which are rented. So it is surprising that they have decided to make a storm over his decision to buy a helicopter for his business,” Mr Chembo said.
Mr Chembo said the constituency would continue to rally behind the MP because he had proved to be a caring and responsible leader.
He said Mr Malanji, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, had spearheaded developmental projects while being n loyal to the party.
He said he has been helpful even to the vulnerable people in the constituency through various programmes of empowerment.
In terms of infrastructure development, Mr Malanji has spearheaded construction of Esther Lungu police post in Nkana East and donated a Nissan hardbody to the same police post,
He has constructed a classroom block at Riverside Extension Primary School and a maternity clinic in Bulangililo Township.
According to Mr Chembo, the MP recently donated three Rosa buses to the United Church of Zambia Kwacha East congregation, Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church in Riverside ward and Ipusukilo St Peter Catholic Church.
