KATOMBI URGES ACTION AFTER SECOND CABINET MEETING
United Party for National Development Serenje Constituency Member of Parliament Bishop Friday Katombi (PhD) says the concern raised at the second Cabinet Meeting over El Niño must be taken seriously.
Dr Katombi says Serenje falls in a region where rainfall is adequate, so residents should be part of the solution.
In a media statement today, Dr Katombi said the second Cabinet Meeting held on Tuesday 22nd September 2026 noted that El Niño could affect the 2026/2027 farming season and national food security.
He noted that Cabinet reiterated Government’s resolve to ensure the country remains food secure despite the forecast.
Dr Katombi advanced that citizens and stakeholders should support measures that strengthen fiscal buffers and mitigate any eventualities.
He said the Green Paper on the 2027–2029 Medium Term Budget Plan, approved at the second Cabinet Meeting, provides a positive economic outlook with growth projected to average six per cent.
Dr Katombi affirmed that agriculture, mining, construction, wholesale and retail trade, Information Communication Technology, and financial and insurance services will drive growth.
He emphasised that the 2027–2031 Medium-Term Revenue Strategy will strengthen tax administration, broaden the tax base, rationalise incentives and exemptions, and roll out the digital NRC system.
He said Government will prioritise concessional financing, liability management operations, and strict implementation of Annual Borrowing Plans under the Medium-Term Debt Strategy.
Dr Katombi noted that expenditure will focus on investments and reforms supporting private sector-led growth, productivity, diversification, value addition, and job creation.
He said the Grow Zambia Agenda is captured in the 10–10–5–3–3–1–1–1 framework, including 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000 megawatts of electricity, five million tourists, three million tonnes of copper, three million tonnes of soya, one million tonnes of wheat, one million tonnes of sugar, and US$1 billion in beef export earnings.
Dr Katombi affirmed that this is President Hakainde Hichilema’s ambition for the next five years, and urged stakeholders to comment on the Green Paper issued by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning on 26th September 2026.
These are issues we should preoccupy ourselves with. Keep it up Hon. Dr. Katombi. The third term debates are retrogressive. We need brains now to forge ahead. Also the militia cases, let them be dealt with by the courts.