By NATION REPORTER
DR Fred M’membe is shocked that President Hakainde Hichilema has decided to claim credit over the construction of the Kazungula Bridge whose idea was conceived and constructed by the previous administrations.
Dr M’membe, the leader of the Socialist Party says it is unbelievable that Mr Hichilema is claiming credit for the construction of the Kazungula Bridge and boasting that the investment in the construction of the bridge was under the UPND administration.
While addressing Judges in Livingstone recently, President Hichilema said: “We could have bought a lot of school desks for the kids. We could have also invested in one or two border posts. As Kazungula border post is now delivering value. I hope the Kazungula Council chairperson is here and MP is here. We spent around US$240 million on that bridge. That is across the river, 900 metres of the bridge, 900 metres, close to a kilometre.”
“And before we spent that money on that bridge, Chief Justice, the revenue we were getting around there was very little. Since we invested in that bridge, we are now earning so much money, including now being able to get the pay back from that money within two to three years, complete payback. This government wants to invest money prudently and not waste it in certain areas of expenditure. We expect and we know we have the support of the judiciary,” President Hichilema said.
But Dr M’membe said by taking credit on projects President Hichilema did not initiate and build, the Head of State was pulling what he termed “the string a tad-bit out of control.”
He said the President was overstretching his claims about his achievements because the UPND government had nothing to do with the construction of the Kazungula Bridge.
Dr M’membe reminded President Hichilema that the Kazungula Bridge was conceived and constructed under the previous governments.
In December 2020, President Hichilema, then in opposition criticised the Patriotic Front over the construction of the Kazungula Bridge, mocking the former ruling party that it was suffering from poor finishing of national economic projects.
At the time, President Hichilema Twitted: “Poor finishing is surely what the PF must stand for. One cannot explain why they start things they do not finish. Now the Kazungula Bridge which not long ago they were boasting about remains incomplete because they have paid the contractor. Poor finishers must be ashamed of themselves. Their lies have now crossed borders.”
Dr M’membe however said President Hichilema was lying and claiming credit that was not due to him.
Dr M’membe wondered what could be prompting the Head of State to tell blatant lies and claim credit that was not due to him, stating that;
“Our simple and only explanation is that this may be a very serious case of narcissism. A healthy – even sometimes inflated – sense of self can be a good thing. In fact, some researchers believe that those who have somewhat grandiose views of themselves are mentally tougher, less stressed, and less at risk of depression. However, narcissism exists on a spectrum. On one side, it’s craving the occasional compliment, on its darkest side, it can creep into pathological territory.”
