The Zambian government advised Sunday the parastatal Zambia Telecommunications Limited (ZAMTEL) and Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) to be independent and generate funds for their operations.

Communications and Transport Minister Sarah Sayifawanda said that the government intends to cut off the fund to the two institutions so that they stand on their own.

In Ndola, the capital of Copperbelt Province, she told ZAMTEL and ZAMPOST management that the government will not hesitate to invite other investors to invest in the communications sector if the two are not able to sustain themselves.

Sayifwanda said however that the government stands ready to support the two parastatals as long as they satisfy the general public with viable services.

She said the two entities should strive to survive on their own before the state can step in with any required assistance.

ZAMTEL managing director Simon Tembo said the company requires 96 million U.S. dollars to fully install the optic fiber country-wide.

Tembo assured the communications and transport minister that the Lusaka metropolitan optic fiber will soon be completed and that ZAMTEL stands ready to install the long awaited facility as long as the government and other stakeholders support the firm.

Source: Xinhua