. Lungu

By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said that he only travels abroad when it is absolutely necessary.
The President said this in reaction to some views that he was fond of travelling abroad and consequently wasting public resources.
Mr Lungu said he never travelled abroad for the sake of travelling but he did so because it was necessary in order to sustain favourable international relations.
The President said this at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday afternoon, shortly before he left for Botswana where he has travelled to attend that country’s national day which falls today.
“I also don’t like travelling because I have got family. I have friends… I have relatives and I have business to do in my office. I only travel when it is absolutely necessary,” he said.
Mr Lungu said people complaining over the trips should be responsible and exhibit consistency as well as objectivity.
He said that while the late President Michael Sata was head of State,
parliamentarians contin ously questioned his lack of travelling abroad and the lack of visits from other heads of State.
Mr Lungu said, apparently the same people, including former Foreign Affairs ministers, were now questioning his foreign trips.
As President, Mr Lungu said, he was the number one diplomat that needed to keep good ties with other countries for the benefit of Zambia.
He said as far as he was concerned, he had done well, saying those that were fond of making unnecessary comments and believed they could do a better job should stand for president in the 2021 general elections and test their worth.
The President said he also made reasonably short trips and he could not turn down the invitation from the Botswana President Ian Khama.
He said following his visits, presidents Khama, Jacob Zuma of South Africa and João Lourenço of Angola would soon be visiting Zambia.
Mr Lungu said as neighbouring countries, it was important for them to constantly engage at the highest level and reflect on common needs of the people.
He also said that one of the reasons he was going to Botswana was to
foster economic ties with that country.
The President said Zambia and Botswana had been working silently on a number of things, mainly the construction of the Kazungula Bridge which, once completed, would extensively benefit Zambia.
Mr Lungu said while there was a view that there was little economic activity between Zambia and Botswana, the two countries had been working quietly on certain issues.
He said he was happy to have been invited for the national day in
Botswana and, as a good neighbour, he obliged the invitation.