THE Zambian government’s propensity to take a reckless attitude towards key national issues and developments is frightening.

The issues surrounding the Zesco optical fibre network is one we have followed with keen interest. We have done so because we realise the significance of this technology in the development of the country’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. We have equally been interested because the Zesco optical fibre has been linked to the disputed sale of Zamtel, a move that has been denounced and rejected by many of our people, except Rupiah Banda and his friends.

We know the collaborative efforts between Zesco and Zamtel for the development of an optic fibre network started as far back as 1991, and that all efforts to develop the network together with some partnership for a win-win solution did not result in success or turn out favourable.

We also know that the most critical issue was absolute ownership of the optical fibre infrastructure that would be installed on the power lines. Zesco argued then that the Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), which has the fibre was part of the electricity infrastructure and therefore could not be co-owned with another entity.

They felt that doing so would compromise the security of electricity delivery. Zamtel equally wanted absolute ownership of the cable and did not want to go into any partnership with Zesco and that Zamtel just wanted to pay a rental to Zesco for the use of the electricity infrastructure.

There were other meetings that followed in the early 2000s but the status quo on this matter remained unchanged. In 2006, Zamtel publicly announced that they would not partner with Zesco or use its fibre as a subscriber because they were ‘too large’.

Instead they would construct their own fibre network to compete. Again, early last year there were ideas to resurrect the collaboration between these two giant parastals.

We know that Zesco offered that Zamtel could use its fibre instead of constructing its own or simply delay the implementation of their project. But Zamtel once more rejected that offer, stating that they had already contracted a Chinese firm to roll out the first phase of its fibre project.

Against this background, what is the justifiable explanation today for this coercion to grab such a key infrastructure from Zesco and give it to Zamtel – a company that is up for sale? A company that currently should be concentrating on cleaning its house and putting things in order as it prepares to be sold. A company that continued to refuse to partner with Zesco when the opportunity arose, a company whose future is uncertain!

The usurpation of the optical fibre from Zesco is not only an act of criminality but also repugnant to the development of a fair playing field in the ICT sector in the country.

We are not surprised by the happenings surrounding the Zamtel/Zesco optical fibre cable scandal because we recall very well when Rupiah Banda banned the issuance of licences in the telecommunications sector until the process of selling off Zamtel was completed. It is very clear that the Zamtel meal is one that had been eaten before it was cooked. The people behind the sale certainly saw the sun before dawn.

Apart from just abetting corruption, we know that the grabbing of the Zesco optical fibre is going to work against the economic liberalisation policies this country has been pursuing since 1991.

This move will reinforce the de facto monopoly of Zamtel in terms of infrastructure ahead of the more competitive landscape envisaged in the new ICT Act.

It is public knowledge that Zesco had laid an effective fibre network across the economically active central part of the country from Lumwana Solwezi in North Western Province to Sesheke in Western Province, connecting the Copperbelt to Lusaka and on to the borders of neighbouring Botswana and Namibia. It was licensed by Zambia Information Communications Technology (ZICTA), the then Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ) as a carriers’ carrier.

So whilst Zamtel was protecting its gateway monopoly and charging high prices for satellite connectivity, Zesco working with other international internet expert organisation created an international fibre route out to South Africa via Namibia and South Africa. It wasn’t cheap but it was a whole lot cheaper than the Zamtel satellite service and it began to undercut Zamtel’s previously protected international revenues.

So what is the justification for this attempt to grab the optical fibre from Zesco?

And what is this notion of comparing the grabbing of the Zesco optical fibre to the transaction between Safaricom and Kenya Power & Lighting’s fibre optic cable?

We are told that Kenya Power & Lighting Limited’s fibre optic cable want to lease its optical fibre as a way of minimising vandalism-related losses as the link runs on overhead lines.

This move we are told is done on commercial terms. By contrast, Kenya Power & Lighting Limited has let the use of its fibre network to three competing operators: Safaricom, Jamii Telecoms and the Wananchi Group. In this way, several players can make competing infrastructure offers whilst at the same time sharing a single network. And this is contrary to what is obtaining in the Zambian situation.

We are not aloof to the fact that the privatisation of Zamtel is just an excuse by a few selfish individuals to use this transaction to make money by taking bribes and all sorts of kickbacks.