Maravi

Nalubamba’s advice

Nalubamba’s advice
Written by Editor

It is said that when one’s problems are hidden, no one is aware of them. But when they are revealed, people are in a better position to help.

Hence the saying: “It dries when it is put in the sun.” Chief Bright Nalubamba’s advice to the government is timely. Indeed, it will be folly for the government to proceed like there are no problems in the country.

Listening to most of the ministers, they seem to be portraying a picture that those who are complaining about this or that are exaggerating issues, are politicking or just alarmists. These ministers and other government officials want to conceal the truth. They merely want to say that whatever problem there is, it is receiving government’s active attention.

However, this ‘active attention’ does not seem to yield any desired fruits as with each day that comes, our people seem to be getting more and more desperate; the situation is getting worse.

There is need for the government to view things not only from their perspective. There is nothing to be ashamed about; people should learn to accept when things are bad, when hope is diminishing.

It’s good that a cross section of our people is encouraging the government to engage all stakeholders in a bid to find solutions to the country’s current economic problems, which are raising the political temperature. Chief Nalubamba has proposed the formation of a national committee comprising opposition political party leaders, the church, traditional leaders and civil society, to be chaired by the Republican Vice-President.

While we would like to believe that chief Nalubamba’s proposal is in good faith, we feel congregating people from all walks of life is not the best way to go about finding solutions to our immediate problems in the country. In fact, this will just add to the problems because participants in such a committee will have to be looked after using taxpayers’ money. Before long, we will be told that billions of kwacha are spent on paying allowances to participants on this committee.

Sometimes it is good to be clear about things in life. It is our view that before anyone sits down to attempt to find solutions to these problems, there is need to understand why Zambia finds itself in such economic problems. If we do not find the source or sources of these problems, solutions will never be found, regardless of how much we search for them.

When President Rupiah appointed his Cabinet, he told the nation that he had appointed Situmbeko Musokotwane to replace Ng’andu Magande as finance minister because he wanted to compose a team that is going to respond to the challenges brought about in the world economy.

Before we start congregating people in the manner suggested by chief Nalubamba, why not ask Musokotwane to tell the nation what he has done or is doing in response to the assignment given to him by President Banda when he appointed him? We can also ask President Banda to tell the nation what his so-called dream team is doing to address these economic challenges.

However, those in government who talk about how this economic recession in the United States is adversely effecting our economy never offer solutions on how to go round these problems. They merely lament; they just regret and complain about how difficult things have become and will continue to be.

Zambia is not the only country affected by these world economic changes. Almost every economy is affected but affected differently. How each country is affected by these economic changes depends on how they run their affairs.

Today, we are hearing a lot of our people, both in the ruling MMD and the opposition political parties, complain that President Banda should not have dropped Magande, especially during this time of global economic recession. But President Banda told the nation that he was dropping Magande because he had Musokotwane who has a rich curriculum vitae with vast experience to tackle problems brought about by the recession in the American economy.

The point we are trying to make is that Zambia has got many capable people to deal with almost any situation; whether political, economic or indeed religious. The problem is we avoid using the right people in the right positions. That is why today we will find chief Nalubamba’s proposal of coming up with some mixed grill committee to deal with these problems very attractive. We do not need a congregation of political leaders, church leaders, traditional and civil society leaders to brainstorm solutions to these problems. What this country requires is an effective Cabinet or government to decisively deal with such problems.

And beyond such a Cabinet or government, other knowledgeable people can be consulted to offer solutions. That is why we agree with chief Nalubamba that there is nothing to be ashamed about when things are not alright; other stakeholders should be engaged in trying to find solutions to difficult situations.

Magande does not have to be finance minister for him to contribute to finding a solution on such matters. Those who are in government now can seek his input by trying to learn from his experience both in government and outside.

There are so many Zambians in Magande’s position who can help but are not being utilised by those in government purely for petty political reasons.

Those in government have this know-it-all attitude when some of them don’t even understand their roles and obligations. Some ministers can’t even explain the much-talked-about credit crunch in the United States and yet we expect such ministers to find solutions to our problems. It’s a joke!

We need to go beyond this cheapness and utilise our qualified and competent people. Some problems can be avoided if competent and qualified people are put in their right places. We should only resort to chief Nalubamba’s proposals in very extreme cases requiring such a response.

Labels: BRIGHT NAMULAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, RUPIAH BANDA, ZEC

posted by MrK @ 12:59 PM