LUSAKA, Oct. 13 -- The Zambian government has denied banning the usage of Higer buses being supplied by a Chinese firm on its roads, a top official said on Monday.

Last week, some sections of local media reported that the government had banned Higer buses because of their alleged excessive weight. The local media further reported that the company had been told to take the buses back for re-designing.

But Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Panji Kaunda said the government had no intentions of banning the use of Higer buses, adding that the impression created through some sections of the local media were erroneous.

"I am referring to the article that appeared in one of our press with an impression that the government has banned Higer buses in Zambia," he said in the statement.

"This picture painted is not correct. The government has not and has no intentions of banning any buses in this country," he added.

The government has since apologized to the Chinese firm that supplies the buses for the inconvenience the article might have caused, adding that steps were being taken to remedy the situation.