‘IT’S ALL LIES’, FUEL DEBT TO SUPPLIERS NOT US$1BN BUT ONLY US$465M – STATE

By AARON CHIYANZO

GOVERNMENT has dismissed claims by the African Confidential that Zambia’s arrears for fuel imports have reached US$1 billion.

Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary for Economic Management and Finance, Mukuli Chikuba said contrary to the claims, only US$465 million was owed to fuel suppliers.

“As at 31st March, the debt owed to fuel suppliers is US$465 million,” Mr Chikuba said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.

In its April issue, Africa Confidential Report claimed that arrears for fuel imports have climbed from US$600 million during last year to top US$1 billion.

“Arrears for fuel imports have climbed from US$600 million during last year to top $1 billion,” the report reads in part.

And the Zambian DNA says Africa Confidential is a propaganda tool for some opposition parties.

Zambian DNA spokesperson, Spuki Mulemwa urged the public not to fall for the “lies” propagated by Africa Confidential.

Mr Mulemwa said Africa Confidential was being used to spread lies in an effort to discredit the government.  

“All the things they produce about Zambia are false, they drive the narrative of the opposition. It is a propaganda tool of the opposition and Zambians should not be cheated. It’s good that the truth has come out to counter these lies,” he said.