Africa-Press – Zambia. UPND Spokesperson Mweetwa has disclosed that President Hakainde Hichilema has no intentions of using the Gulf Stream jet for any immediate assignments including his scheduled trip to the UN General Assembly.
Mr Mweetwa said President Hichilema will use a commercial plane for his trip to the United States slated for next week. He said the UPND’s position on the sale of the Presidential jet has not changed but will allow Cabinet make a final decision on the matter.
Mr. Mweetwa says the jurisdiction to decide on the fate of the plane now lies with Cabinet as it is a property of the Government. Addressing the media, Mr Mweetwa said the position taken by the party before and during the General election campaigns remains the same as it is viewed as an unnecessary cost in the face of more competing needs.
“Allow me to place this on record as being the position of the party in relation to the Presidential Jet. We told the nation that the Jet would be auctioned because it was then considered as a not so necessary commodity in the presence of other competing needs. That position has not changed any bit. The Government is putting up all documentation with regards the purchase of the Gulf Stream. Therefore, that matter will be a subject of deliberation at Cabinet level and Cabinet will make a final decision.The President will not negate on his campaign promises”, he said.
Mr Mweetwa further revealed that the Presidential delegation to the United Nations General Assembly slated for next week in New York will travel using a commercial plane and not the Presidential jet as a cost saving measure. He said only a lean delegation shall accompany the President to the global Assembly.
