Honour FJT, Chikamba prods Govt

…says the late Second Republican President Fredrick Chiluba laid the foundation for Zambia’s steady economic progress and therefore Government should restore his poise.

By NATION REPORTER

GOVERNMENT should restore the dignity of late Second President Fredrick Chiluba who governed Zambia from 1991 to 2002, Mr Chapa Chikamba, the Chairperson of the Fredrick Chiluba Memorial Committee has said.

Dr Chiluba died on June 18, 2011, almost 15 years ago at his residence in Kabulonga, age 68, following a long battle with heart and kidney complications.

Mr Chikamba said in an interview yesterday ahead of Dr Chiluba’s memorial slated for this Thursday that the Second President laid the foundation for any economic progress Zambia has ever witnessed by liberalising the economy.

Dr Chiluba, a former trade unionist is not only credited for ending the 27 years of single party rule by Founding President Kenneth Kaunda and guiding the country into constitutional multi-party democracy but also for championing the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation on December 29, 1991.

“FJT would have turned 83 years old today. He was not only my friend but the Republican President for 10 years. He inherited a debt of US$ 8 billion but managed to turn around the economy of this country,” Mr Chikamba said during an hour-long interview.

He urged those seeking public office and those already serving to emulate Dr Chiluba’s style of leadership which largely bordered on tolerance of divergent views.

“Dr Chiluba never barred anyone from contesting the Office of the Presidency of this Republic. He was the Father of Democracy in Zambia. As long as someone met the required conditions – which usually were very simple- such a person could contest,” Mr Chikamba said.

He said he is aware that at some point Dr Chiluba nearly became unpopular after he introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) – an acronym Zambians interpreted as ‘Satana Ali Pano’ loosely translated the ‘devil is here,’ but the reforms were necessary to steer back the economy on course.

“He laid the foundation for any economic progress Zambia has ever witnessed by liberalising the economy and creating an environment that encouraged growth and citizen participation in business,” Mr Chikamba said.

Dr Chiluba spearheaded major economic liberalization reforms, including empowering citizens through housing privatization.

After he left office, his successor, Levy Mwanawasa pushed for the removal of his immunity which was stripped in 2003 after which he was prosecuted on multiple corruption and embezzlement charges. He was eventually acquitted on the charges in 2009.