Maravi

Rupiah’s govt is dormant, says HH

Rupiah’s govt is dormant, says HH
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Thursday, December 25, 2008 10:40:47 AM

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema on Wednesday described President Rupiah Banda’s government as dormant for failing to implement promises made to Zambians ahead of the October 30 presidential election.

During his end of year media briefing at Pamodzi Hotel which focused on the financial challenges the country is currently facing, Hichilema said President Banda had duped the electorate.

Hichilema said President Banda’s government was dormant and wondered how the president could even go for a holiday.

“Can you really afford a holiday?” Hichilema asked.

“If I were president I wouldn’t have gone for holiday, I would be in the office with the opposition and other stakeholders trying to find solutions to the problems. Rupiah Banda’s government is dormant.”

Hichilema said the high cost of mealie-meal was a direct reflection of the government’s failure to manage the agriculture sector.

“I want to remind the nation that a few months ago, the MMD government told the people of Zambia that the effects of the global financial crisis will not have any bearing on the performance of the Zambian economy, clearly the government misled the nation,” Hichilema said.

“I want to state that that was a misconception and tragic error of judgment by the leadership and the government did not put in place mitigating interventional measures to counter the effects of the global financial and economic crisis.”

He said it was clear from what was happening that the crisis had just started and people should brace themselves for more problems.

On the unstable exchange rate and interest rates, Hichilema welcomed the intervention by Bank of Zambia (BoZ) to mitigate the depreciation of the kwacha against the US dollar by releasing US$5 million on the money market.

“We expect them to do more,” Hichilema advised. “Interest rates are increasing to such levels where obtaining credit is becoming unaffordable to many. With government support, the Bank of Zambia in consultation with financial services industry players should institute measures that will result in interest rates being cut down to affordable levels.”

On high prices of fuel, Hichilema demanded more reductions. On the job losses in the mines, Hichilema called on the government and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem.

“The government must in consultation with industry and commerce institute measures that will cushion mine operations in order to sustain the jobs of our people,” said Hichilema.

Labels: GOVERNANCE, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, INFLATION, MEALIE-MEAL, RUPIAH BANDA, UPND

posted by MrK @ 10:41 AM