Minister Of Defence: The Sale Of The Presidential Jet Will Be Consistent With The Law

The Minister of Defence, Lwiji Lufuma, has emphasised that the sale of the president’s jet will be consistent with the law. 

He outlined that the Gulfstream jet will be sold in line with the relevant laws, regulations and procedures which relate to the selling of public assets. 

The announcement came during a ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday. 

The statement was in response to a question raised earlier this month by the Mporokoso Member of Parliament, which asked for clarification over the sale of the jet. 

In response, Mr Lufuma, stated that the selling of the aircraft will be consistent with the Provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, specifically Article 210 (1) and(2): the Public Finance Management Act No. 1 of 2018, notably Section 42 (1). 

Further, he outlined that the aircraft was being sold in order to be replaced with a newer, lower cost mode of transport for the president.

He emphasised that the jet had implemented exorbitant costs onto the Zambian airforce. 

He explained that over US$6 million had been spent on the jet's annual maintenance in the last three years. 

The aircraft had been bought during the Lungu regime and was bought for a far higher price than it should have been. 

He said, “The previous Administration bought the Gulfstream at an exorbitant price of US$ 194.9 million inclusive of the accessories. The US$194.9 million is part of the total loan of US$ 400 million meant for modernisation of the Defence Force.”

He also outlined that the Anti-Corruption Commission had begun investing the acquisition of the aircraft as it believed its purchase was used to siphon off funds.