Friday, March 29, 2024

ActionAid reminds President Lungu of challenges awaiting him

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ActionAid Zambia Country Director Pamela Chisanga
ActionAid Zambia Country Director Pamela Chisanga

ActionAid Zambia has observed that Zambia’s sixth President Edgar Lungu comes at a time when the country has a number of unresolved but critical challenges such as the impasse on VAT refunds and the contestations on the proposed mineral royalties for the mining sector.

In extending her organization’s congratulations to Mr Lungu on his election, ActionAid Zambia Country Director Pamela Chisanga in a statement says another critical issue that Zambians expect the new President and his government to resolve is that of enacting a new constitution for Zambia.

Ms Chisanga says over the coming months, President Lungu and the PF should be looking at working towards an optimal tax system that seeks to strike a balance between ensuring the greatest possible benefit for the public and at the same time, encouraging quality, sustainable investment in the country.

She notes that companies pay their fair share of tax to the country, and that this has the power to help build a better future by providing vital public services.

Ms Chisanga states that the enactment of a new Constitution and Access to Information laws should also be prioritised.
She further states that a new Constitution especially if the present draft is enacted has the potential to transform many lives through improving the level of democratic freedom and quality of public service delivery in Zambia.

The ActionAid Zambia country Director adds that the new Constitution should be enacted before the end of this year to allow the 2016 elections to be held under a new and progressive Constitution.

Ms Chisanga says it is their hope that Mr Lungu will uphold the highest level of transparency and accountability in managing the nation’s resources and that the government will endeavour to be more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Zambian people.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Good and timely message sister Chisanga. But alas, as you will prove just shortly, in Zambia, such virtues as; “highest level of transparency and accountability in managing the nation’s resources and that the government will endeavour to be more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Zambian people”, that you have tried to remind HE are non-existent! Watch this space. Already he has indicated that the constitution is far down the ranks of what he intends doing in the 15 months or so – especially that some clauses therein affect his own survival; even from the kaponyas point of view – never mind about delivering the constitution which appears to be a preserve of the elit in Zambia!

  2. The farmers who have been crying about their money still went ahead and voted for this drunkard, nurses, teachers and in general civil servants voted for this irresponsible drunk! What a country! Surely this is a country of super I’d.iots! This level of dullness is unimaginable!

  3. Sounds too much on his plate already, do this, do that blah blah blah, give him space to play around his presidency, he will deliver. Seems too much excitements already guys, he has not even been shown his desk where he can start his work for now, lower your cool

    From your friends in Livingstone 2015

  4. Pressure nayo iyi give him time. About mine taxation ba chisanga give an alternative or example of which one should be suitable. Critising without giving solutions is like what upnd did with a silence and the leaked constitutional road map. No one talked about windfall tax last campaigns it was strange.

  5. I also congratulate Edgar on his election though I’m UPND diehard and incoming Rufunsa MP.If Edgar performs it will good but not good enough to make him win again next year.I wish him the best.

  6. Zambia is effectively now divided into North Western Rhodesia and Barotseland vs North Eastern Rhodesia (Northern, Luapula, Muchinga and Eastern Province).

    Ever wondered why the whole of North Western Rhodesia voted enmasse for UPND?

  7. THE ORGANIZATION THANKS YOU THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR FOR ACTION AID (Z) FOR YOUR CONGRATS MESSAGE TO THE SIXTH PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA HE MR LUNGU. YOUR TIPS ABOUT THE MAMMOTH TASK LYING AHEAD FOR HE ARE TIMELY DONE. BUT WHEN HE SETTLES DOWN PROBABLY AFTER A MONTH TRY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET HIM AND TABLE YOUR ORGANIZATION PROPOSALS.
    OUR ORGANIZATION IS ALSO GIVING HIM TIME WE WILL MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET HIM AND PRESENT OUR PROPOSALS ON THE BEST WAY OF MOVING THE NATION FORWARD.

  8. Just because Edgar Lungu said he will be listening to what people said did not mean every twig in Zambia must yell “Do this Mr Presdo, appoint her, fire who, buy that!” Nope! Give the president some space.

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