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Zambian opposition leaders have widely criticised President Rupiah Banda over his frequent international trips.
Since his accession to the Presidency a year and five months ago, President Banda has travelled abroad on over 30 occasions, attracting outrage from his political opponents and influential civil society organisations.
Leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), the second largest opposition party, Mr Hakainde Hichilema described President Banda as Mr Holiday for regularly undertaking international trips.
He (President Banda) is just excited about travelling. He is a man who likes to be happy all the time when his citizens are suffering, said Mr Hichilema. President Bandas archrival Mr Michael Sata, leader of the main opposition party the Patriotic Front (PF), condemned the head of states trips, which he said were being undertaken when Zambians were living in abject poverty.
A former finance minister Ms Edith Nawakwi advised President Banda to be sending envoys to certain international assignments to avoid extravagant expenditure of public funds.
President Banda, who just returned from a 10-day state visit to China on March 5 after which travelled to Malawi and Namibia, defended his foreign trips.
President Banda told state news agency ZANIS that people attacking him over his visits to other countries were doing so out of ignorance.
President Banda said his meetings with other heads of state were important in maintaining good neighbourliness and exploring new avenues for trade.
source:dailynationonline