A scam has been unearthed where people masquerading as doctors are certifying medical papers for unsuspecting drivers obtaining driving licenses at RTSA, Road Transport and Safety Agency offices in Chipata.
Speaking during a press briefing in Chipata yesterday, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo warned that those involved in the scam will be arrested.
Mr. Kasolo says that the unscrupulous people are robbing government of revenue that is supposed to be used in buying medicines for Zambians.
He charged that the Matero system of certifying medical papers should be stopped.
Mr. Kasolo says that using government date stamp to certify medical papers and impersonating doctors is a criminal offence.
Meanwhile government says it is not happy with the current economic plan for Eastern Province.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo told a media briefing that government is in the process of revisiting the economic plan for Eastern Province.
Mr. Kasolo says government will identify areas of economic development that are missing in the province such as the construction of a dry port at the Chipata Railway Station and include them in the new economic plan.
He says that he is still discussing the matter with the Provincial Planning Unit and will have a draft for practical economic plan by next month.
Mr. Kasolo added that activities on the Industrial cluster plant have reached an advanced stage as ZNS, the Zambia National Service has already surveyed the 50 hectares of land where a milling plant, workshop and a medical hub will be constructed.
And Mr. Kasolo says he is still discussing with Local Government Minister, Steven Kampyongo on the issue of giving Chipata a City status.
He says that government is looking at the possibility of having President Edgar Lungu declaring Chipata a city when he visits the Province during his campaigns because the district has achieved what it takes to be declared a city.
Meanwhile the Permanent Secretary also mentioned that Special Assistance to the President for Projects, Lucky Mulusa is still raising funds for projects whose works have reached 85 percent in the province so that they are completed.
Mr. Kasolo added that he will push for the completion of the construction of the Chipata-Vubwi, Chipata- Chadiza and Chadiza- Katete roads before the end of this year.