President Lungu’s Trips Beneficial –Sampa

A Civil society organisation (CSO) says those criticisingPresident Lungu’s foreign trips must conduct a research so as to establish the benefits that accrue to the country.
Good Governance and Child Activist Kelvin Sampa said presidential foreign trips have benefits such as championing economic diplomacy and attracting foreign direct investment to the nation.
“People should understand that presidential foreign trips are meant to strengthen ties with foreign countries who are stakeholders to the growth of the national economy and the trips also help strengthen diplomatic ties.
“The presidential trips are also meant to woe investors in our country in order to create the much needed employment in order to strengthen the economy,” Mr Sampa said.
He said in an interview yesterday that people condemning presidential trips do not understand the office of the president and are not aware of new trends of economic diplomacy which is championed by the Head of State.
Mr Sampa said Mr Lungu took over from late president Sata and a programme was already in place for the government to strengthen ties with foreign countries.
Meanwhile, Mr Sampa has called on the Zambia Police and investigative wings to investigate claims by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema that he receives intelligence reports before they reach President Lungu.
He said issues that border on national security which are meant for the President are not supposed to be for public consumption because they involve State security.
“Our organizstion is waiting for the response from the Inspector General of police to respond to Mr Hichilema’s claims. We are also waiting for the Office of the President to conduct an investigation and flush out persons releasing State security information because they are a danger to the nation,” he said.
Mr Sampa said Zambia is known as a haven of democracy and peace and will not allow statements from desperate individuals to disturb the peace of the nation.
He said even when democracy allows for freedom of expression, statements that border on State security should not be entertained just because they are coming from people who feel more significant than other citizens