A Political Activist has urged Zambians to brace themselves for harder times to come under the Patriotic Front (PF) government. However, PF has maintained that the party has delivered to the expectations of the Zambians adding that the party is here to stay. A Political Activist has urged Zambians to brace themselves for harder times to come under the Patriotic Front (PF) government.
However, PF has maintained that the party has delivered to the expectations of the Zambians adding that the party is here to stay.
Speaking in a phone interview with the Lusaka Star, political activist Dante Saunders said the PF had failed to run the affairs of the country as evidenced by the rising cost of living.
And Mr. Saunders explained that government’s directive to ZESCO to increase electricity tariffs will lead to an increase in commodity prices.
He questioned the justification behind the directive to increase electricity prices despite the country experiencing increased load shedding.
Mr. Saunders that the increase in electricity tariffs was inconsiderate of the poor in society.
“Survival has become very hard considering the hike in fuel prices and yet Government is now increasing the electricity tariffs.
“Zambians are just in the dark while Government goes deep in borrowing. How is the money in Zambia being spent? … For instance, we have the 4 billion United States dollars which was supposed to be for road construction. Where are the roads? We only have a few here and there,” he questioned.
Cabinet recently directed that electricity tariffs in the country be increased immediately for all consumers, except the lowest users, as a way of overcoming current power shortages. The 16th special Cabinet meeting resolved that increasing electricity tariffs in the country be expedited as a way to accelerate attraction of new investment in new power generation projects.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri said government has brought massive development in the country despite negative criticism from the opposition.
Speaking when she featured on a program dubbed ‘The Lusaka Star’ on UNZA Radio, Mrs. Phiri explained that high commodity prices in the country are due to the fact that Zambia is a consuming country and not a manufacturing country.
She was however quick to note that government had put in place measures to address the current situation.
Ms. Phiri maintained that a good road network was key to reducing the cost of doing business, hence government’s commitment to improving the road network in the country.
“Zambia is not only Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe and these areas are congested. So as the Patriotic Front, we had to open up new places to allow investors invest even in remote areas,” she lamented.
The Deputy Secretary General also added that Zambia being a land locked country, railway systems were being developed as they are an easy way of transporting goods.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the agriculture sector, noting that government was now advocating for fish farming as a way of diversifying the sector.
“We have continued were MMD (Movement for Multiparty Democracy) stopped and PF is taking cattle to disease free areas so that we can improve the life of every Zambian,” she explained.
Zambians urged to prepare for harder times while PF maintains it has delivered to people’s expectations
