15/06/2022
Hichilema burns $27 million on trips in 9 months
…beating Edgar Lungu´s diplomatic engagements in 7 years
By a Correspondent
President Hakainde Hichilema has burnt up to $27 million dollars (K500 million) of tax payers money travelling around the world to sign books for personal friends and largely as a tourist according to international travel estimates of a seating head of state in Zambia and several southern African countries.
The revelation comes days before the Zambian President travels to Kenya and France, raising red flags from insiders in the previous Edgar Lungu administration, and the current one, that place the cost of a presidential trip to New York or London with his entourage at about US$1.5 million.
US$27 million dollars splashed on 18 trips so far by Mr Hichilema and his entourage is almost K500 million in 9 months, as hospitals experience an acute shortage of all drugs including basics such as Panadol that has been recorded countrywide according to pundits.
“President Lungu never did that many trips because this is an average of two trips every month if you crunch the numbers,” an Insider said.
“This is too much money to spend on Presidential trips in 9 months only for a President looking for US$1.3 billion from the IMF,” said analyst, “Its like those blue-chip company CEO´s in the USA that flew in private jets in 2007 to seek a bail out from President Obama during the economic recession15 years ago.”
President Hichilema has removed subsidies on fuel and electricity as he hands down huge tax holidays to foreign mining companies such as FQM, Vedanta and Barrick Gold.
The prices of fuel in Zambia now increase every month and s doe prices basic household commodities such as cooking oil, sugar etc.
Below is an official breakdown of how Mr Hichilema has blown US$27 million (K500 million) in nine months as compiled by UPND insiders:
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18 INTERNATIONAL TRIPS IN 9 MONTHS equals to K500 million as drug shortages escalate and people die
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Belgium, Botswana, Democratic Republic Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Malawi
South Africa
The President has visited the following countries:
1. United States of America (New York) – September 19, 2021
2. United Kingdom (Scotland)– October 31, 2021
3. South Africa – November 15, 2021
4. Botswana (Kasane) – November 20
5. Democratic Republic of Congo – November 23, 2021
6. Malawi – December 7, 2021
7. Malawi – January 12, 2021
8. Dubai (Abu Dhabi) – January 20, 2022
9. South Africa – January 26-28th, 2022- Book Launch
10. 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit- 4-7th February 2022
11. 6th EU/AU Summit to Belgium -17th February 2022
12. South Africa-Mining Indaba 11th May
13. 2022-14th May 2022
14. Eswatini-2nd June-5th June 2022
Proceeding to
15. Kenya
16 . France 18 INTERNATIONAL TRIPS IN 9 MONTHS
Belgium, Botswana, Democratic Republic Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Malawi
South Africa
The President has visited the following countries:
1. United States of America (New York) – September 19, 2021
2. United Kingdom (Scotland)– October 31, 2021
3. South Africa – November 15, 2021
4. Botswana (Kasane) – November 20
5. Democratic Republic of Congo – November 23, 2021
6. Malawi – December 7, 2021
7. Malawi – January 12, 2021
8. Dubai (Abu Dhabi) – January 20, 2022
9. South Africa – January 26-28th, 2022- Book Launch
10. 35th Orrinary Session of the AU Summit- 4-7th February 2022
11. 6th EU/AU Summit to Belgium -17th February 2022
12. South Africa-Mining Indaba 11th May
13. 2022-14th May 2022
14. Eswatini-2nd June-5th June 2022
Proceeding to
15. Kenya
16 . France
