Stakeholders have high expectations from UPND administration

The Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) has said it expects the incoming United Party for National Development (UPND) administration to address most of the challenges that the country is facing.

Speaking in a telephone interview, CSAWUZ president Davy Chiyobe said the union expects the incoming administration to revive the economy so as to reduce the cost of living in the country.

Mr. Chiyobe has since urged the incoming UPND government to ensure that the rule of law is revived and citizens made free to participate without fear.

He further said press freedom reforms need to be put in place so that the media can work independently and report objectively.

Mr. Chiyobe has also appealed to the law enforcement agencies to work independently and without fear or favour of anyone regardless of their political affiliations.

He has further appealed to the incoming government to create incentives for civil servants so that they can be motivated to perform better.

He has since urged civil servants not to engage in corruption.

Mr. Chiyobe has also advised the UPND government to ensure that there is a holistic approach to enhancing national development in the years to come.

And the Zambia National Marketeers Creditors Association (ZANAMACA) has welcomed the move by local authorities countrywide to resume collecting revenue from traders.

ZANAMACA president Mupila Kameya regretted that the PF cadres had hijacked the role of the councils to collect levies from traders thereby affecting the operations of local authorities.

He has since urged marketeers not to entertain cadres in the various markets and bus stations but to only pay their revenue to council officials.

Meanwhile, Youths in Ndola have expressed happiness with the economic changes the incoming United Party for National Development government has promised in its manifesto.

The youths cited a strategy to improve the education sector as one that has given them hope.

Janet Mbewe, a school leaver, is anticipating the increased student loan scheme and bursaries to better her chances of furthering her education.

“I hope that the new government will stick to the promises of improving education, to give the youths an opportunity to empower themselves and strengthen their careers,” she said.

A Ndola business owner, Dave Muyani, added that he expects the incoming government to provide incentives to help the young people improve their entrepreneurial skills.

“I am hoping to see availability of raw materials because I am a supplier of meter boxes and it is difficult to keep up with demand due to the high costs of raw materials such as steel and aluminum,” he lamented.

Another young entrepreneur William Ngosa, said he expects to see prices of raw materials to reduce as this will help the smooth running of businesses.

“It is not only formal jobs that can make youths develop, but owning enterprises that will support and stabilise the economy,” he said.

The UPND manifesto has promised to better the economy and eliminate poverty through the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). Another measure the UPND plans to implement is the Zambia Enterprise Development (ZED) initiative which will financially support start-ups as well as existing businesses.