EDITOR’S CHOICE: It is time the president started using the Gulfstream if it is a better jet compared to the challenger!

(By Alexander Nkosi)

I’m not an engineer, neither am I an expert in jets but I want to believe that the Gulfstream is a better plane than the Challenger, especially for long trips.

Presidential trips are extremely important if we want to strengthen multilateral and bilateral economic and trade relations. The results cannot be seen immediately because it is not like going to the market and coming back with a box of tomatoes, the results will eventually come. Physical presence makes a big difference, especially by the President who is the final authority.

Given this background and considering the fact that he should and he will continue travelling, I want to appeal to him and all those appointed to support him to consider using the Gulfstream if it is deemed a better option compared to the Challenger which is an old jet. Safety and convenience is more important than upholding campaign promises which were clearly based on an ‘outsider view’.

Like I have repeatedly said, an opposition leader cannot have the same intelligence details with those in government and it is absolutely right to change plans when availed with more detailed information. Life is all about getting better information and changing course to achieve optimal results, it is the same with politics and governance. Even political party manifestos are updated to suit ever changing circumstances.

We might not have spent the right amount of money on the Gulfstream but if there are restrictions on the disposal of military equipment and if it is a better jet compared to the Challenger, then I’m of the view that the President should go ahead and use it.

I want him to go to China to meet Chinese authorities and banks we owe to discuss debt restructuring and strengthening of trade and economic ties.

My President, as your employers, we want the best for you! To make local solutions work, we need external solutions as well. In short solutions to our economic challenges are a mix of local and external. Stay focused and continue working work hard. When you win, the country wins!

Thank you!