Maravi

Archbishop Mpundu sees no progress on poverty reduction

Archbishop Mpundu sees no progress on poverty reduction
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Thursday June 12, 2008 [04:00]

LUSAKA Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu has said he will only believe Zambia is making progress in reducing poverty when there is a difference in the lives of ordinary people. In an interview, Archbishop Mpundu said he had not started seeing the reduction in poverty and an improvement on the economy to better the lives of the ordinary people. Archbishop Mpundu challenged the media to monitor what was obtaining at the grassroot level and see if people's lives were improving.

"It is up to you the media to go the grassroots to see what is obtaining on the ground. You know, if we are told that Zambia has achieved the HIPC point or achieved a one-digit inflation or that there has been more investment, so more money is coming. How does that translate to the common person in Kanyama? How does that translate to the common person in Mtendere or in Chainda and Mandevu?" he asked.

Archbishop Mpundu said he recently visited the compounds in Kabwe and that poverty was visible there.

"People in Ngungu for example, and you go to Railway compound and you will see the poverty there; you see it. For me, I am not criticising anybody, I am simply saying I will believe we are making progress when there is a difference in the lives of the people there, on the ground not those in Kabulonga, Woodlands or the high areas; that's the litmus test, that's the criteria number one. I have not started seeing it and that is why I do not believe until I start seeing. I am told 'well, it takes a few years', I am prepared to wait but until then I see effects, I am not prepared to swallow anything that is said to me," said Archbishop Mpundu.

Labels: NEOLIBERALISM, POVERTY, PRGF, TELESPHORE MPUNDU

posted by MrK @ 4:27 AM