SPECIAL assistant to the president for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere has said insinuations that President Rupiah Banda played a role in second Republican president, Frederick Chiluba's trip to Nigeria, are erroneous.

Mr Jere said in a statement that it was erroneous to insinuate that President Banda sent Dr Chiluba to Nigeria for a holiday when it was the former president's legal entitlement.

He said Dr Chiluba, like any other former president, was entitled every year to one return aire ticket for himself and the spouse under the Benefits of Former Presidents Act, Chapter 15 of the laws of Zambia.

Mr Jere said President Banda did not play any role in the trip by the former president.

He said stories circulating especially on the Internet that President Banda ordered the Government to pay for Dr Chiluba's holiday were incorrect and misleading because arrangements for trips for former heads of State were not sanctioned by the president.

And chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said Dr Chiluba's travel to Nigeria was part of his entitlement.