Minister of Local Government Gary Nkombo yesterday took only one question from the media in what in the end resulted in dodging of other questions that the media was eagerly waiting to get answers. Nkombo had called for a press briefing to address the media and mobile money booth owners concerning the displacement of mobile money booths in undesignated areas in Lusaka.
Nkombo who is managing one of the most complex ministries had called for a press briefing to address the media and mobile money booth owners concerning the displacement of mobile money booths in what the Ministry discribed as undesignated areas in Lusaka.
The decision to forcefully remove the mobile money booths which provide jobs to most of the unemployed youths has backfired as it coincides with the increased cost of living and increasing commodity prices on the back of consecutive fuel price hikes.
Before addressing the media, the minister held a closed-door meeting, which lasted for 40 minutes with mobile money booth owners, a representative from the Mobile Money Business Association of Zambia and other stakeholders.
Speaking during the media briefing which was attended by the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Nkombo said all the stakeholders had agreed to work together to ensure that there is sanity in the Central Business District therefore the need to relocate the mobile money booths.
However, the minister had dodged a number of questions from the media such as how many individuals have been displaced, what is the financial impact if the government would compensate the affected owners of booths etc as he only took two questions from one journalist because the moderator stated that it was in the interest of time and requested that all those with questions should follow the minister to his office.
Nkombo explained that government has been having discussions with the Mobile Money Business Association and other relevant stakeholders concerning reorganizing the sector for 12 months now adding that this will cause disturbances in the business.
He noted that going forward no, individuals will be allowed to establish mobile money booths anyhow as it was done earlier. The mobile money owners spoken to by ZBT however still felt their concerns had not been adequately addressed.
