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Fired ZR Board Member Cries Foul ‘With Chirwa At Helm, Zambia Railways Going Nowhere’
The dissolved Zambia Railways board has described governments to dismiss it as a relief.
Earlier yesterday, Transport Minister Chris Yaluma held a news briefing at his house at which he announced the dissolution of the Zambia Railways board with immediate effect.
But speaking later in the evening, Clive Chirwa said his entitlement of a KR 2.6 million annual
bonus and 25% share in Zambia Railways after working for 5 years were
agreed upon by his lawyers and government prior to signing the
contract.
Outgoing Board Vice Chairman Professor Oliver Saasa said the board members are happy to see the board dissolved because of the many problems they faced.
Professor Saasa said it is such a relief to leave the Zambia Railways board as it will give him and other board members time to concentrate on their private engagements.
He said working with Zambia Railways Managing Director Clive Chirwa was difficult as he continued undermining the authority of the board.
“We are so happy that this decision has been taken but we are even more resolved to see to it that investigative arms of government move in and investigate the corruption which is rife at Zambia Railways,” Professor Saasa said.
Professor Saasa was speaking in Lusaka yesterday afternoon when some board members held a news conference to clarify some issues surrounding corruption allegations at the railway firm.
“For us, it became apparent that Professor Chirwa was undermining our authority and we sought the intervention of the Transport Minister who assured us that we will see to it that Professor Chirwa is fired but only to hear today that we have been dismissed.”
“The man wanted to listen to no one, imagine you as the employer and your employee dictating terms to you. It’s like a tail waggling the dog,” Professor Saasa said.
He said, “Professor Chirwa’s demands were extravagant and as the board we had to put a stop to this in order to protect public funds.”
“For us, it became apparent that Professor Chirwa was undermining our authority and we sought the intervention of the Transport Minister who assured us that we will see to it that Professor Chirwa is fired but only to hear today that we have been dismissed.”
And Mark Chona who was until now Board Chairman of the Zambia Railways Board said Professor Chirwa must be fired it the public resources are to be safeguarded.
“With Clive Chirwa at the helm, we are sorry Zambia Railwaysis not going anywhere.”
Mr. Chona accused Prof Chirwa of gross management adding that he tried to undermine the authority of the board on several occasions.
He said the board rejected Prof Chirwa’s attempts to move the corporate head office from Kabwe to Lusaka.
Mr. Chona further revealed that the board objected to his continued stay at the K 72 million per month rental Fallsway apartments which it describes as obscene.
“The man made obscene demands from a company which is insolvent,” Mr. Chona said.
Mr. Chona also revealed that Prof Chirwa is receiving K140 million as monthly salary after the board negotiated downwards from the K 248 million per month he initially demanded.
But Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday interview programme, Clive Chirwa said allegations by the board that has been demanding to be paid US$560,000 annual salary (K248 million per month) are unfounded.
He said this hefty salary is not an anomaly on his part because it is contained in his contract.
Prof Chirwa further said his entitlement of a KR 2.6 million annual
bonus and 25% share in Zambia Railways after working for 5 years were
agreed upon by his lawyers and government prior to signing the
contract.
He also denied having been making decisions without the approval and
involvement of the Board, a practice contrary to the corporate
decision-making reiterating that the board was corrupt and centered on
holding unnecessary meetings to maximise their allowances.
The ZRL CEO explained that the revelations by the five board members
were driven by the fact he had overulled their demands of getting K500
million as sitting allowance for meetings.
” So far about KR 452,000 has been spent on board meetings, the
board is supposed to meet four times in a year but within the first
quarter of this year we have had 20 board meetings, that is a waste of
resources,” he said.
He wondered the board was claiming funds from the ministry of
transport, works and supply when some of the meetings were being held in houses.
And Prof Chirwa has dispelled assertions linking him to dissolution of
the board stating it was dissolved for failure to perform and not for
his protection as perceived by some sections of the society.
He disclosed that the ZRL board was dissolved on 17th April,2013
according to a letter availed to him by the minister.
“I’ve not been lobbying for the dissolution of the board, the was
dissolved because i hasn’t been working since it was appointed,” he
said.
Posted by
Igo*igo
April 22, 2013 at 11:03 am
Cant trust anyone, the board is corrupt…Chirwa nao is in for the money and not for development. How can we be paying K72m in rentals. Ninganda yashani iyo? Ni state houes?
bakulu ba nchito
April 22, 2013 at 11:21 am
You are happy that investigative arms have moved in, why didnt you report that corruption when you saw it?
KA GELO
April 22, 2013 at 11:40 am
But Professor Saasa has not talked about the board’s hefty allowances. How much were they being given each time they met. Chirwa is entitled to what was signed for in the contract, no matter how hefty. Someone should have negotiated for it at the time. So does it mean that the board’s demands for hefty allowances per sitting were driven by Chirwa’s salary? Can the board tell us how much they were receiving than just talk about Chirwa’s emoluments.
ftj
April 22, 2013 at 11:47 am
The Board has not been working since it was appointed, but it has met 20 times within the first quarter. I am confused!
Joe Mountain
April 22, 2013 at 11:53 am
I believe both parties are at fault. Chirwa’a demands are far from inspiring given the state of the country’s economy. If Chirwa wants to win the hearts of Zambians let him reduce on his demands and live a life that reflects the state of the economy. How different is he from the foreign companies that we accuse of stealing our resources? The bonus he’s demamnding for, including the share-based incentive should have been linked to performance; only if he turns the company around in 5 years as he promises. Nonetheless, 25% of shares is extravagant. As things stand, Chirwa must do more to inspire Zambians.
ck
April 22, 2013 at 11:58 am
This board was not working they just wanted sitting allowances let chirwa work with commited people.
kakolwe
April 22, 2013 at 12:02 pm
With a company making ZERO I’d trust anyone with such optimism as to grow it to an extent where they see a25% worth of investiment. Clive believes in 2moro. Oliva waSaasa ni money
Zebige
April 22, 2013 at 12:03 pm
The board was just too corrupt.They hated Chirwa because he didnt want to give them fish.He wanted to teach them how to fish.Too much looking for akalilo mu zambia ebwafya twakwata.
Wiseman
April 22, 2013 at 12:25 pm
1. JST WANTED AMA ALLOWANCES. 2. BOARD MEMBERS WHO WANTED TO BE PART OF RUNNING ZRL ON A DAILY BASIS THOUGH NABO NIBA C.E.O. 3. CONFUSION COZ OF POVERTY. 4. INTERFERENCE FOR NO REASON. these former board members typical of lazy nchekelamo zambians. Too good they are gone
Daniel Munkombwe
April 22, 2013 at 12:31 pm
IT MEANS ZAMBIA RAILWAYS WAS REPOSSESSED TO GIVE IT TO CLIVE PROFESSOR CLIVE CHIRWA? THE PROFESSORS HAVE FAILED TO WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY- AN ENGINEER AND AN ECONOMIST!
Loloshi
April 22, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Are the powers that be saying that at the end of five years, ZR shall be delivered to Clive Chirwa? God forbid! And who signed the contract on behalf of government? This plunder of nation resources the worst kind. How did they arrive at the 25% shares in ZR? And what is the criteria for him alone to qualify to own such shares? Is the PF government for the people or for the prevaledged few individuals such as Prof Clive? His contract of employment should be renegotiated by the incoming board, otherwise an investigation should be instituted in enerst by the relevant authorities. This scam has the potential to dent the government’s image.
eng
April 22, 2013 at 12:59 pm
who appointed who?i think there is no discipline in zrl.board members not in good terms with ceo, chirwa we told in the first place how did u cm up with this board that lacks discipline?u will not go anywhere if you make another mistake of working with vuvuzelas like sasa and chona.u r a competent engineer and role model for many of us hence u need to uphold the integrity that you have earned.u need to work with a team that respects teamwork.
musole sachipango
April 22, 2013 at 4:04 pm
I think you are ignorant. The Board is the one that employs a CEO and not vice versa. CEO may only have power to engage company employees, although the Board may retain some power to employ some Executive Board Members (some company directors)
mukombe
April 22, 2013 at 1:31 pm
At Clive Chirwa these are the things which will be happening if you include dual citizenship. These guys in the diaspora have no heart for this country, they are money mongers and shylocks.
Mtendere
April 22, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Awe mwitu inkluda. Some of us are genuine workers trying to empower our poor families back home.
Sim-card Phiri
April 22, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Ci Chirwa uli Chikabwalala. This is daylight robbery. Can you stop this nonsense you thief. You do no inspire many poor Zambians.
It good we have seen how money hungry you are, and you are not fit for Presidency. So count your self for your crooked ways of doing your CEO business.
jajabinghx
April 22, 2013 at 1:35 pm
ZAMBIA RAILWAYS IS DERAILED BEFORE WE EVEN START IMPLEMENTING ALL THOSE HUGE PRONOUNCEMENTS.
chomba
April 22, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Its worrying that Clive Chirwa can come and talk on national television without shame. The man is too clever for us, why keep him?? Honestly, is Zambia that rich to afford such an expensive character lacking corporate governace. He’s never run a big Institution like ZRS, this he admintted. Hon. Minister, why not engage someone within Zambia with the aspirations and dreams of most Zambians not uyo mawaleta uuleiba mwibala apo talimine. If the Minister is not going to fire Chirwa then we’ll know he’s also in for it. Sadly when the PF Gvt is out Chirwa will be no where to be found to be investigated.
Sad indeed!!
TI
April 22, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Chirwa has a background of inventions and good track record for his work. What about the other professor what projects do you have to show us.Even if Cleve was fired today UK/Japan will employ him and the fired board members……….where to? zero.
The ID10T
April 22, 2013 at 2:53 pm
“Prof Chirwa further said his entitlement of a KR 2.6 million annual bonus and 25% share in Zambia Railways after working for 5 years were agreed upon by his lawyers and government prior to signing the contract”
DAMN! The man has good lawyers. You can work for 5 years and own a quater of an organisation as big as the ZRS. I need this man’s lawyers. Been working for 15 years and only recently afforded a Toyota Vitz.
If he signs another 3 contracts under the same conditions, ZRS will be successfully 100% privatised to Clive in 20 years.
Good going Prof Clive Chirwa Sir, Chair of Automotive & Aerospace Structures, Head of Bolton Automotive & Aerospace Research Group, BEng (Hons), MSc (Auto Trans), MSc (Auto Struct), PhD (Struct Dyn), MSAE, MIVehE, FEIZ
Hehehehehehehe!
m
April 22, 2013 at 2:57 pm
The problem with you people is you simply think youre untouchable hehehehehe come and feel how it feels to cook on charcoal,if u didnt steal enough then .WELCOME TO THE CLUB hehehehehe
george
April 22, 2013 at 2:59 pm
both parties lack conflict resolution skills. Pety isues wthout development interest. Ths shows a lack of meaningful development path. Its wrong to plan how u wil enjoy de harvest b4 u cultivate.zra md must get below kr50,000 mnthly and need 2 help genuinely ths country. Geting shares 4rom zra is unprofesional and infringing its economic. Who wil pay 4 that 25%?
maikalange
April 22, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Was chirwas behaviour this crazy,wow,then too hell with yr demands and so called education.IN LIFE ONE MUST LEARN TO COMPROMISE,THATS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD!
malinso
April 22, 2013 at 3:21 pm
I DIDNT KNOW CHIRWA IS SO FULL OF BS [BULL SHIT]
nshilimubemba
April 22, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Please allow Clive to work he is the one who is. Answerable to the zambians allow him to work freely and let him find his own team to work with
Ewa
April 22, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Tumfweko, edit your articles before posting them online. Do we always have to “fill in the blanks” kwati ni mu grade 2 ! Some sentences in this article do not make sense at all. E.g, last sentence ……………the was
dissolved because i hasn’t been working since it was appointed,” he said.,
musole sachipango
April 22, 2013 at 3:55 pm
Chirwa’s defence and accusations are typical of a politician than a professional. The other party are arguing professionally but seem to bring out their case a bit too late. However, the onus is upon the GJIT to take advantage of the free information being floated in the public domain and see if they make a quick catch.It is also a chance for investigative journalists to dig deeper and come out with facts from revealations. There is no way that such stories should die a silent death if at all we have journalists in Zambia.
ben2020
April 22, 2013 at 4:08 pm
People who understand the running of businesses can not blame the pf gvt on the term of 25% ownership ZRL.Most companies would give a certain percentage of company shares to motivate the managing director and make him feel ownership of the company.
nganga
April 22, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Iwe,a public company owned by Zambians you offer shares to an individual,are seriuos!!!
Mtendere
April 22, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Imwe ba Nyanga yes they offer shares to MDs all over the world whether its a public company or Limited. Its for motivation and protection of the company
The ID10T
April 22, 2013 at 4:54 pm
There is aleady a rumour that Prof Clive Chirwa, Chair of Automotive & Aerospace Structures, Head of Bolton Automotive & Aerospace Research Group, BEng (Hons), MSc (Auto Trans), MSc (Auto Struct), PhD (Struct Dyn), MSAE, MIVehE, FEIZ; has been fired and replaced by communication permanent secretary Muyenga Atanga as interim CEO.
Mtendere
April 22, 2013 at 5:21 pm
Saasa ali right. Chirwa sitimuziba olopang’ono so how can he warrant such a salary?
JETS
April 27, 2013 at 12:48 am
Some years ago, i read aan article over Prof. Chirwa’s profile in the Post.It was astonishing to discover that this gentleman had paid a lot of money to the Post to polish up his profile for publication.I further discovered that prizes he mentioned that he must have won through JETS were infact won by a genius called B.M. Kapika.I have been trying to find out the whereabouts of this man. Though i have been able to trace his projects such as the floating bubbles. The products which are now selling millions in europe.When i goggled i found out that he is also a writer/pulisher. Does anyone know, where this legend is? Is he still alive? People like this man are constructive zambians. They are quiet and succeful zambians.They never seek publicity like Clive Chirwa.We need such people in leading positions. Because they have already achieved what they could and they have already money.
Stevenson Hamuchenga
lino Mutez
May 1, 2013 at 8:21 pm
When are we going to stop appointing the same people doing nothing for the nation.All the Saasas do is talk and talk and talk.No wonder the railway line had fallen to disuse.Clive was not wise enough to take up that position. Though Sata may have meant well to bring this reknown man in engineering to help out,little did he realise that this whole thing would end up into a political experiment.It is really a shame to see our own professors misbehaving in public media.Greed among Zambian elite is quite rife.Ilike what Munkombwe said atleast he was honest enough to say it is all about the stomach.No one can pretend they are out to serve!Everybody wants to eat. Clive should have been left alone to see how far he would have taken us. He seem to be more practical than tha disolved board. PhD is rife