GOVT CONSULTING OVER DISPOSAL OF 20 TOYOTA VXS – MINISTER

WE are still in consultation with the cabinet on how best the over 20 brand new Toyota VX’s that were bought under the new dawn administration will be disposed off, Minister of Transport and Communications Frank Tayali has revealed.

Mr Tayali said that 20 vehicles were withdrawn after the presidential directive but that they were not yet disposed of due to some concerns that had been raised.

Speaking when he featured on the Hot Seat programme which was monitored by the Scoop, Mr. Tayali said that the vehicles were retrieved from the senior government officials but that the presidential fleet for foreign dignitaries were depleted.

“We have serious concerns because some dignitaries are very particular and may demand things like bullet proof so it is a bit difficult to do away with such inventory,” he said.

The minister further stated that after the withdrawal of over 20 brand new Toyota VXs, the government had not bought any new vehicles because that was not a priority and that they had actually saved a lot of money. 

Meanwhile Mr Tayali charged that various market forces were playing a key role in the high prices of mealie meal in the country.

Mr Tayali said that Zambia was a free market economy hence the government could not control the amount mealie meal was to be sold.

He said that the government could not impose prices on the private sector but was trying to mitigate the situation by working with entities like the Zambia National Service (ZNS).

Mr Tayali said that the government could only control the prices of mealie meal that was coming from entities like the Zambia National Service.

“ZNS is our department hence we can determine the amount of mealie meal unlike the others which are privately owned,” he said.

Mr Tayali said that it was a similar situation with Yango operators who recently protested over bad working conditions.

He said that the government was trying to come up with frameworks that would level the playing field.

Mr Tayali however said that the Yango drivers engaged his Permanent Secretary over their grievances.

He called on the drivers to put their grievances in black and white so that the government could find a lasting solution.

Mr Tayali added that the government was doing everything possible to ensure that it cushioned the fuel prices despite the market forces playing a key role.

“Government has taken a step back and is no longer a player in the transportation of fuel in the country,” he said.