CCZ urges Govt to comprehensively address issue of fire trucks

Fire TendersThe Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) says government should comprehensively address the nation on the procurement of 42 fire engines at a total cost of US$42 million.

CCZ General Secretary Father Emmanuel Chikoya says in-as-much-as CCZ appreciates every genuine and prudent expenditure aimed at procuring the much-needed equipment to combat fires in the country, the Council is concerned about the exorbitant cost of the fire engines.

Fr Chikoya has argued that it is not morally upright to price a single fire truck at one million dollars when other better equipped fire trucks in the region cost about 865,000 US dollars.

He says it is the duty of government to comprehensively and convincingly respond to issues raised concerning the stewardship and prudent utilization of national resources.

Father Chikoya has also demanded that peaceful protests against the procurement of the over-priced fire engines be allowed to take place, adding that citizens are within their rights to ask critical questions pertaining to the utilization of CZnational resources.

And the CCZ General Secretary has appealed to all political players in the country to commit themselves to the long awaited dialogue between President Edgar Lungu and opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.

Father Chikoya says as the nation is approaching the National Day of Prayer and Fasting on 18th October, there is need for political leaders to unite as a way of bringing people together.

He says the day of National Prayer and Fasting must be non-partisan.

He says the Council of Churches supports all efforts including those being spearheaded by the Commonwealth.

Father Chikoya notes that the Commonwealth is a more credible and neutral institution in facilitating such reconciliatory process.

He says the Council is however, disappointed by maneuvers by some invisible hands against this legitimate process of creating consensus and creating an enabling environment in the political arena as the nation prepares for the 2021 elections.

He has also called for civility among politicians in the country.

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