PRIVATE Sector Development Association (PSDA) chairperson Yussuf Doldia says state owned telecommunication company Zamtel can be a profitable company that would contribute positively to the development process of the country without necessarily being privatised.. PRIVATE Sector Development Association (PSDA) chairperson Yusuf Dodia has criticised some sectors of society calling for the privatisation of state owned telecommunication company Zamtel.
Mr. Dodia charged that with good policies in place, Zamtel had the potential to become a viable and profitable company that would contribute positively to the development process of the country.
Speaking in a telephone interview with the Lusaka Star, Mr. Dodia advised government to approach the matter carefully as it was sensitive to national development.
He urged government to get rid of corruption in the operation of the parastatal and “implement policies that will see the telecommunication company become profitable and viable.”
He further added that the K1 billion investment loan government intends to inject in the company be put to good use.
Mr. Dodia added, “People and government should not to get too excited and experiment with our economy by entertaining the idea of selling public owned companies to foreign investors … No foreign investor will come and fix our problems if we, the Zambians don’t take it upon ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Patriotic Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phirl said government had come up with exciting plans aimed at upgrading Zamtel’s services as well as improve its infrastructure so that all customers can enjoy more reliable services.
Mrs. Phiri said government was committed to ensuring that Zamtel improved its services as well as its operations.
She said such a move would increase peoples’ confidence in the company’s services, thereby making the company grow from strength to strength.
“We will make sure Zamtel becomes a shining example of how a telecommunication operator should operate and ensure national assets are protected,” Mrs. Phiri added.
State can effectively run Zamtel – Dodia
