Maravi

ZUFIAW urges Rupiah to prioritise growth of informal, private sectors

ZUFIAW urges Rupiah to prioritise growth of informal, private sectors
Written by Lambwe Kachali
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 7:17:34 AM

ZAMBIA Union of Financial and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) president Cephas Mukuka yesterday urged newly elected President Rupiah Banda to prioritise the growth of the country's informal and private sectors.

In an interview, Mukuka said the three years that President Banda was expected to rule would be a flop if he did not come up with special policies that would enable growth in important sectors of the economy.

Mukuka said the private sector was the pillar of employment creation in the country and therefore should not be ignored but must be supported by any government.

“For such sectors to participate in the growth of the national economy, it is government's responsibility to create an enabling environment.

He said as much as President Banda would want to continue with programmes left by late president Levy Mwanawasa, he should aim at doing better to improve the economy, as that would improve living standards for the majority of poor Zambians.

Mukuka said the time was now for all political players to join hands and focus on fighting poverty that had affected Zambians for decades.

“That will be possible only if the past is buried so as to face future challenges,” he said.

He further said it was necessary for President Banda to consider reducing fuel prices further as that would gradually lead to the reduction of essential commodities such as sugar, mealie-meal, cooking oil, among others.

Mukuka said President Banda should also critically look into addressing unemployment levels and challenges in agriculture, heath and education sectors.

He said Zambians were looking forward to a magnificent improvement in the health, education and agriculture sectors, saying they currently face numerous problems.

And Mukuka commended the political maturity exhibited by all political players that participated in the October 30 presidential election.

“Although the outcome of the election did not satisfy most stakeholders, the most important thing is that the political atmosphere has continued to remain calm before and after the election. I therefore would like to give credit to the electorate, but most importantly to leaders of the opposition political parties, for ensuring that peace continues to prevail at the end of day,” said Mukuka.

Labels: MARKETEERS, RUPIAH BANDA, ZUFIAW

posted by MrK @ 7:19 AM