UPND STILL HAS NO PLAN FOR REDUCING COST OF LIVING 7 MONTHS INTO OFFICE – SEAN TEMBO
1. As Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), we are concerned that 7 months into office, the UPND administration still does not have a plan for reducing the cost of living. It is beyond debate that one of the main reasons why Zambians from all corners of the country overwhelmingly voted for UPND on 12th August 2021 is because of the high cost of living which prevailed at the time and which the UPND promised to reduce. However, the cost of living is now higher than it was on 12th August 2021.
2. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we hereby advise the UPND administration to consider withdrawing the IMF Bailout Loan application and instead adopt a home-grown economic turnaround plan. Such a home-grown plan should focus on three things: number one, creating a conducive business environment for local enterprises to thrive and prosper, such as access to reasonably priced capital, removal of onerous regulatory burdens etcetera. Secondly, the economic turnaround plan should address the issue of domestic revenue mobilization by immediately suspending the de facto tax holiday extended to mining houses, and ensuring that the country benefits from current high prices for copper on world markets through maximum collection of tax revenue from the mines. Thirdly, the home-grown economic turnaround plan should address liquidity shortages in the economy by dismantling domestic arrears and paying off all suppliers and contractors who are currently owed by Government.
3. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we further wish to advise the UPND administration that governing a nation is a collective undertaking for all citizens. Therefore, if the President and his cabinet do not have sufficient ideas on how to turnaround our economy and reducing the cost of living, they should not be shy to convene an Economic Indaba at which submissions can be received from various Zambians of different backgrounds. Such an Indaba will assist the UPND administration with fresh new ideas on how best to exploit our huge economic potential for the benefit of the Zambian people.
4. One thing that is certain is that it is unacceptable for Zambians to continue to be subjected to a high cost of living when they were promised the opposite. The Zambian people deserve better.
Thank You and May God Bless the Good Citizens of the Republic of Zambia and Our Ailing Nation.
Yours Sincerely
SEAN ENOCK TEMBO (SET)
PARTY PRESIDENT
PATRIOTS FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS (PeP)