ZUFIAW President, Mr. Ackim Mweemba has stressed that the country needs to focus on economic development and poverty alleviation and not the 2021 general elections.
Mr Mweemba noted that it is very worrying to see the country debating on the eligibility of presidential candidates in 2021 general elections instead of addressing immediate pressing needs of the general populace.
He said the country is faced with various challenges of food security, economic stability and the diversification of our asset and resource base which leaders should be concerned with as opposed to the elections which are five years away.
“Many people in the country are in danger of facing food insecurity this year as a result of the infestation of the destructive army worms and the mismanaged fertilizer input support programme for this farming season.
“It is imperative that we transform our mindset as a country and focus on issues that bring development and alleviate poverty amongst the Zambian people. It is very premature for us as Zambians to start debating the eligibility of the president in the next general elections given that we have a judicial system in place which is mandated to guide the nation on the eligibility of all aspiring candidates for 2021 elections.
“All citizens have the right to express their intention to stand and those with issues should seek legal redress from the courts of law at the right time and guidance shall be given on who is eligible to contest.” He advised.
He said it is important for the PF government to ensure that the country identifies and implements tangible policies which shall bring success in our renewed diversification programme.
He noted that the challenges in the Agriculture sector should be a source of concern as it is the pioneer sector for diversification.
“The country has been grappling with the agenda of economic diversification for more than fifty (50) years without success and it is important for the Patriotic Front (PF) government this time around to ensure that the country identifies and implements tangible policies which shall bring success in our renewed diversification programme.
“It should be a source of concern to note that the agricultural sector, which has been seen as the pioneer sector for diversification, is currently facing a crisis which threatens to compromise the efforts and hard work of Zambians in the 2016 farming season. We must therefore, also explore means of safeguarding these sector based activities from natural and man caused disasters, even as we endeavor to diversify our economy.” He noted.
He said the country should not lose focus on real issues by dwelling on the 2021 elections.
“2015 and 2016 were very challenging times for Zambians given that the country recorded an increase in commodity prices and the cost of living rose significantly. Zambians are currently looking forward to some relief from these pressures and many citizens would like to see a relatively improved business environment in the country.
Many traders, employing thousands in the informal sector, were forced to downsize or even shut down operations given the fact that the cost of doing business in the country had increased and it was therefore not in their best interest to either invest or continue with their operations. We must not lose our focus on the real issues by dwelling on the 2021 general elections. Let us first address the immediate challenges the people of Zambia are facing and then we can focus on other issues at the right time.” He observed.
Wise counsel
That is what I like reading. Well stated. Let us head out and grow Zambia.
It not logical to argue that any individual that talks about 2021 is anti-development. The opposite is consistent. First, investors need clarity regarding future direction of the country in which they place investments. Second, countrywomen and countrymen need to prepare themselves for 2021 by scrutinizing potential leaders. Third, the freedom of expression and the freedom of association is guaranteed by law. Following assumption of presidential duties for the purpose of completing the mandate that was interrupted, the duration of over 3 years is considered a term of office and only allows one presidential election. The question still remains: what is the purpose of a presidential election? how many times can the president be re-elected? is it a maximum of 2 times? is it a maximum of 3…