HH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OF FUEL PRICE INCREASE
The Candidates’ Comment
The opposition in Zambia is busy deceiving Zambians that the increase in fuel prices is a result of President Hakainde Hichilema reneging on his campaign promise to keep such prices low.
This follows the increase of fuel prices as announced by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) yesterday. Petrol was increased from K K19. 84 to K K21.96 and Diesel from K 18.93 to K21.54.
This is beyond the government of Hakainde. We want Hakainde to honor all his campaign promises just as much as many others want him to and we have to keep reminding him and his administration about these issues but let us do so with honesty.
The opposition is busy misleading Zambians that the increase of these prices is because Hakainde is failing to honor campaign promises. This is not true. Yes, he promised while in opposition that he will reduce the cost of fuel by K4 but that did not mean he said this country won’t be affected by global issues that could potentially cause prices to surge.
We know that this recent increase of fuel prices is being caused by the tension between Russia and Ukraine. Seven days ago, international media houses reported and predicted that oil prices would be affected given the tension between Russia and Ukraine. There is nothing that Hakainde and his administration can do about it. Even if Edgar Lungu was president today, this would have still happened. Even if there was a different person in state house, this could have happened. It is unfortunate that there are people who want to gain political mileage on issues that they know too well are beyond the control of Hakainde and his administration.
Our politicians must learn to be honest. Tomorrow, they will be the ones in power. If they are dishonest as they provide checks and balances to this government, clearly, they will be dishonest people even as they form their own governments. But if this country is to progress – which we believe is the interest of the opposition in whole – let us not cheat the people for the sake of making things difficult for the current administration. Whether we like it or not, the administration we have now is all we have for this moment. This is what God allowed us to have. Let them be condemned when it is their fault but let us not crucify them when clearly it is beyond their control.