Yesterday President Edgar Lungu delivered his first speech to Parliament as Head of State.
Our immediate reaction is that every year we hear such flowery speeches from the PF leadership but lacking implementation and to us this is just one of them.
For example, we have heard wild claims such as creating more than 480,000 jobs since coming into office, which equates to an average of 10,000 per month.
More recently at the launch of the Youth Policy, they stated they would create 500,000 jobs by the end of 2016, which roughly equates to 1,000 jobs per day, yet a complete opposite is happening as jobs are being lost in various sectors particularly the mining industry.
After 8 months in office it was a relief to finally hear the President talk about the challenges we are facing, and to some extent what he intends to do about them. We would encourage him to continue to address the public on such matters regularly, as we have advised in the past.
While the theme of the speech “embracing a transformational culture for a smart Zambia now” gave us some encouragement initially, the content seems to be at variance with this theme, as does the PF’s track record. As such we are left with as many questions as answers. We also remain deeply concerned that the PF Government still doesn’t fully understand the complexities of the current economic situation and how to resolve them.
Let me set out a few points which we picked up on:
Firstly, in his first point, the President uses the phrase “Embracing innovation and entrepreneurship”, but then there is nothing in the speech that speaks to this particular idea. Now innovation and entrepreneurship are two things we champion in the UPND, particular because of their transformational potential for our youth and unemployed. We would have wanted to hear examples from the President, for example on how Science and Technology can be harnessed to facilitate innovation, how government will support local innovation hubs and industry partnerships.
Secondly, the President goes on to say “Re-aligning our institutions where necessary to make them more responsive to the needs of the nation”. The basic fundamental issue in this country is that many Presidents have said this, but we do not see any changes being done in oversight institutions. Which institutions did the President have in mind? ZESCO perhaps?
Thirdly, on “promoting cost effective operations in government to eliminate waste and abuse of public resources” he appears to have immediately revealed his lack of commitment to this particular issue, as he went ahead and announced the creation of yet more Ministries. The President will preside over 80 ministers in his Government and what is cost effective about that? Yet more evidence that our Government still hasn’t fully understood the seriousness and complexities of our current economic situation.
Fourthly, this reference to “Promoting a saving culture among citizens to promote investment” is to say the least patronizing. The President cannot talk of a saving culture when interest rates in banks are lower than inflation. In this economy it is impossible to save.
In the UPND we have been talking about this “Promoting punctuality and efficiency to enhance productivity” all along, but the PF cannot and has not been heeding our advice. With a bloated cabinet, it remains unclear how they intend to achieve this.
This “Promoting and nurturing talent” has been our cry. We have even gone further to say we shall do three things (i) encourage retention of talent through proper conditions of service and rewards (ii) engage the diaspora to ensure that they can contribute from wherever they are and (iii) dual citizenship. These three strokes will go a long way to addressing the issue of talent retention.
The President talked about “Promoting long-term planning”. This is what all Governments must do, and as such we are surprised that the PF does not even make reference to the vision 2030 in all its planning. To date it seems as though it only plans ahead to the next election.
Some of the issues the President touched on are very dear to us and we await their implementation. For instance, value addition. This has been our way of things all this time; we have been talking about value addition. As usual the PF talks but rarely does. The issue of the President’s house, we are on record having said that this clause is wasteful, and we are glad that the President now agrees with us. As with the promised constitution, we will believe it when we see it however.
Finally, on diversification, we have been talking about this from 1998 when UPND was formed.
Sadly, the President’s speech does not in any way address the immediate issues that we are facing as a country, such as the inflation rate, the load shedding and the resulting job losses. This speech was another missed opportunity that fails to tackle the current problems the country is facing head on.
Charles Kakoma
UPND Chairperson for Information and Publicity
He talked ,as they all do
PF cadres will not understand this. We need real leadership not just populism. HH for 2016.
Thank you UPND
Empty cans make the most noise and they are easier to crash!
QUESTION: AND WHO’S SPEECH HAS IMPLEMENTATION, HH? WHAT HAS HE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS THAT HE HAS BEEN OFFERING SPEECHES TO THE PUBLIC?
The devil is in the detail. Edgar created at 10 ministerial jobs for his cronies and increased electricity tariffs. I will have a few Jamesons with yo u if you can show anything tangible that Edgar said to show PF achievement in last 4 years.ZERO!
To summarise what the UPND said, I would this to all well meaning Zambians, that PF has again made promises on idea borrowed from UPND but without understanding how they can be implemented.
To me his speech was more like the “ME TOO” he used during the rigged presidential elections. For example, HH is on record condemning the idea of building the sitting president a house.
AS Obatala has said, the rest of the speech is hollow and wont be implemented apart from that of forming more ministries and appointing his MMD connies in RB ‘s team like Dora to ministerial positions so that they can campaign for him in 2016.
Anther thing that Lungu and his PF will definitely implement without fail is the increase in electricity tariff, and fuel which will in turn lead to higher commodity…
continued…..
Anther thing that Lungu and his PF will definitely implement without fail is the increase in electricity tariff, and fuel which will in turn lead to higher commodity prices starting from next month, so it can raise more money to pay for the bloated cabinet.
Only UPND will save Zambia from total collapse while PF will continue to dupe Zambians with wild promises which they the whole PF has little or no capacity to deliver on.
Viva UPND ! 2016 vote UPND for economic prosperity, fairness , justice and proper democratic principles.
What a pathetic way to critique the President … maybe it is true that HH and his team are all Under 5s as I have read from other circles. In case these guys have no clue how this is done, let me take a few minutes to break it down for them.
One – the President sets policy and declares it. ECL did that yesterday!!! For the first time in a long time, I was proud to read his policy statement to parliament. It was rich in substance, it was visionary, it was both aspirational as well as inspirational. It was definitive in nature with set deliverables in specific time frames that are attainable and measurable … it was brilliant!!!
Two – the ministries are set to implement policy once declared by the President, through each ministry’s Chief Executive being the Permanent Secretaries…
Continued …
… through each ministry’s Chief Executive being the Permanent Secretaries while the Ministers as Chairpersons of each ministry are charged with overseeing such implementation while reporting to the CEO of the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise … basic Grade 9 Civics.
Three – as probably the last declared UNIPist standing, I cannot but say how patriot reading that speech made me feel. I was so proud of my President and wished him well because reading it made me realize that my initial instincts about him have always been real.
Now having said that … let’s all get to work, talk is cheap, cash is king everything else is mere nonsense … thanks a trillion.
Kakoma wrote … “Sadly, the President’s speech does not in any way address the immediate issues that we are facing as a country, such as the inflation rate, the load shedding and the resulting job losses. This speech was another missed opportunity that fails to tackle the current problems the country is facing head on.
Charles Kakoma
UPND Chairperson for Information and Publicity”
Here’s an except from the speech from ECL and I quote … I am also aware that the current power shortage has negatively affected those running small businesses like salons, barber shops, welding workshops and bakeries. End of quote!!! Did Kakoma read this or it is just demagoguery as per usual. I can’t rebuttal each and every sentence in his article, I just don’t have time for political demagogues
PF cadres will not understand this. We need real leadership not just populism. HH for 2016.
Upnd ta mwakateke pantu tamutasha mwabe fimabolo ba swine
As expected from these idayts! You are such bitter miscreants! Idyats!
I like the adjective flower coming from UPND so the only problem UPND has is implementation. Will I be right if I say UPND will never allow elections if they ein elecrions because they failed to have one in their party. Well whatever the situation ifwe ni pabwaaaaaaaaaaatoooooooooo
Theres always two sides of the same coin, upnd and its cronies decided to pick on the percieved negative side and fell into a hole while the majority see the bright side.
To upnd, as long as they are in opposition, they have to oppose anything and everything….i guess they even oppose people’s right to life
This is the beauty of our democracy
While agreeing with you @ Gen pointing out to there being two sides to a coin you seem not to embrace freedom of expression by the side not aligned with yours and I do not agree with usage of the word ‘majority.’ I equate the speech to a buffet where each diner will pick what appeals to them. So lets hear the variety as citizens dissect what they make of the speech.
Of all the leadership of Up and Under I thought Mr. Kakoma was one of the smart ones but now I see he is a dunderhead just like his looks…this was a good speech it should be been delivered earlier some of us are seeing opportunities he is seeing potholes…atase
@Gen:
These issues are too complicated for Kaponya Ars.ewhores like you to understand. Kakoma has tried to educate you but I knew you are too dull, thick-headed and above all irredeemably ignorant to understand anything – after all that’s why you couldn’t even make it to a descent University or college. Good luck mate!
No Please, let us give a chance to our President. if the plans are on paper then let him apply the ideas. But the President needs time.
Ba Kakoma,
Your Party says a new mandate for your leader after every 5 years.
When did you last have one?
you commentators are jokesters…pf 4 years in power and 6 billion dollars in debt !
Kakoma again missing the point. Are you sure the president didn’t talk about vision 2030. Maybe you read the fake speech which zwd copied and pasted from post. Pf policies have been delivering and the speech will just enforce what they ‘ve been doing. What has upnd done to Zambia since 1998. Zero. Who in upnd has a proven track record of working in govt. Zero. What makes you believe that Zambia can go for a party with elements who just but noise makers.
The problem with UPND is that they are very drunk with hatred and you can not espect them to appreciate you even when they know that you have done something well. They will rote and die in opposition unless they are delivered from the demon of hatred. Nangu kupata umunenu chachilamo..
UPND will win in 2060
Jealous down President Lung looked very good, composed and articulated Governments resolve to steer Zambia to even greater heights. You chaps in UPND don’t seem to know anything, you have been asking the President to publicly addresses the nation, which he has done so well and you are unsettled.
The only thing we see or hear from you as expected is to say some rubbish in the name of opposition. President Lung has ashamed you, just accept and continue being petty. Fwebekala chalo we are very happy with President Lungu and we will give him his full 5 year mandate come 2016. Concentrate on finding a suitable leader in your Party if at all you ever think of being in Government, your HH twalimukana and we are doing it again in 2016!
UPND should forget winning National elections. They can’t match PF honestly. After hearing and seeing President Lungu address the nation, it’s clear who the leader is in Zambia. Keep it up President Lungu! They are confused in opposition and this is the truth.
Charles Kakoma, the implementation is supposed to be done by technocrats and economic managers both in government and private sector, as well as individuals like you and me. Just ask Economic Manager to heed the call. And please spare us your empty noises, for you guys the desire to get Into state house has blinded you to reality.
And Kakoma, I hope you realise that while you were busy writing this statement Economic Manager was probably busy identifying the business opportunities offered through the President’s speech. Balance your life ba Kakoma, it’s not politics all the time that will feed your family, take advantage of opportunities such as these for the benefit of you your family and the country at large, like your smart president is doing.
I don’t support pf but i think the speech the president gave was good. Mr kakoma , to be in opposition does not mean that you criticise everything.Sometimes silence makes people to think that you are a mature party, but with what you’re exhibiting you’ll end up irrelevant.
1000 jobs per day ka? PF can you enlighten us pleas.
“KUFA NA NO” pf zealots won’t admit the government they supported is failing. Politics should not be like a religion. In political opinion you should be able to change or shift goal posts to a side that best represents the current national circumstances and that is how power shifts between parties because the most relevant party sells its message and wins elections and that is democracy. The “KUFA NA NO” zealots can be best described as one party enthusiasts or zealots!
I THOUGHT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN SAYIG THE PRESIDENT SHOULD GIVE DIRECTION OVER THE LOAD SHEDDING, THE ECONOMIC SITUATION BLAH, BLAH. AND ECL DID THAT. AGAIN YOU CONTINUE MUTTERING. IN A DEMOCRACY YOU CHOOSE WHO YOU WANT AND WHAT YOU WANT. IF YOU WANT CHOOSE HH, AND OTHERS WILL CHOOSE ECL. AND THE VOTES WILL TELL. NO NEED TO HATE ONE ONOTHER.
Lungu’s speech is the most incoherent piece of s.h.i.t that I have ready this year without logical and meaningful connections. The title, the main issues and the conclusion lacked alignment and devoid of action plan. It was really painful and petty to read this mumbled and jumbled speech. Does it mean that PF is only made up of people suffering from thought disorder to write such a shoddy speech that lamentably failed to explain the practical and convincing strategies to be employed to survive and overcome the current economic meltdown? The truth is that the national economy is teetering on the edge of economic armageddon. Can some tell me convincing three strategies to lead Zambia through the economic slowdown we are experiencing that Lungu articulated? There is nothing really to…
to talk about! Come on people, where are those claiming to be ‘technocrats’ in PF to allow such a piece of s.h.i.t displaying slowness of understanding and sound thought on what is currently prevailing in Zambia or they are from Matero university? It is very important for a president to be surrounded by real technocrats not morons lacking the faculty of reasoning and understanding of national issues if a Lungu is to succeed in his leadership. I blame the so called technocrats who crafted this incoherent and barren speech.
What is wrong with UPND?
You don’t have to say anything if you have nothing to say.
Sometimes silence is an exhibit of supreme human wisdom.
And every year we see stupid politicians kneeling down before chiefs and ordinary Zambians promising mountains but when elected it is all rubbish. Sometimes I wonder really why we Zambians vote, cause it is not worthwhile, whoever will come in will just be the same
Comment:Upnd is full of opinion but l lacks knowledge l dont trust those guys they shift positions to fast. They used to say Nchito and post should pay DBZ. Today they have changed, Masebo on Zawa it was the same today they are on the other side.
They at no time ever proposed that presidential housing should be abolished now EL has beaten them at it. Shame they should now propose that only kk should be the only beneficiary EL has given you something to talk about. UPND kaya.
People! Where is flight HH 2015? Is it still in the air? Can someone tell when its going to land?
I have never see any airline change names that many times. It will keep changing names until flight HH 2091. In other campaigns a certain someone was using the term “young and vibrant”. I wonder how long people remain young.
WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM CADRA’S INITIATED BY THE MASON SATANIST.YOUR ECONOMIST MASON SATANIST CAN NEVER RULE A CHRISTIAN NATION.18TH OCT WE ARE GOING TO SCATTER THEIR EVIL PLANS IN JESUS NAME
Pardon me if I seem ignorant. I am of the opinion that a President gives Policy direction which the Technocrats translate into reality. As such, would it not be better to monitor the implementation, and critisize the wrongs, if any, then. Otherwise it becomes a debate, without outcomes.
You are not well informed. Technocrats in normal countries not in a failed state such as Zambia are experts, not politicians. Technocrats make decisions based on specialized knowledge rather than public opinion. They inform governments/presidents on the conceptualisation up to the implementation of solutions to problems, like, for example, the economic crisis in Zambia, and other problems especially when there is no popular or easy solution to a problem. In short, the content and form of Lungu’s speech was informed by technocrats.
Lungu bring the Kwacha down to K6 which you found 8 months ago. Repay the Eurononds which have now doubled cause of 100% depreciation of the Kwacha.
Reduce prices for mealie meal, bread, sugar, to RB’s time.
Upnd is full of envy,hatred and Satanism under leadership of hakaivota humwine.No wonder its a tribal party.PF chabe
In the next few days fuel pump price will go up and electricity tariff will go up! Dora ‘cilende’ Siliya will be given a mnisterial job!
In the next few days fuel pump price will go up and electricity tariff will go up! Dora ‘cilende’ Siliya will be given a mnisterial job!!
With the UPND myopic thinking, i now believe that it will take a very long for the them to form government if at all that will ever happen because they do not know that a republican President gives directions thru’ polices and technocrats in various ministries implements those policies.
Unfortunately for updn the majority of zambians don’t take them seriously . You can’t be a party bent on criticism all the time. Grow a brain and stop thinking that you are wiser than Zambia.
Kakoma failed to facilitate development in Zambezi west as MP ever since UPND was formed.You are just choked with envy and hate.Hence the waffling above.Let your friend HH just give you a piece work at his farm to be milking his animals.The truth of the matter is that Zambians are determined to have PF continue in govt.UPND may make it in 2061 if you will stop being tribal.
What do you expect from a party that specialises in opposing anything? Why not just accept the speech won your hearts? You are dead for opposing the right things – no chance for UPND!!!
I am not surprised by the negative comments from the UPND. I expected that.
Please ba UPND, Pf is more popular meaning people don’t take you seriously because of your hatred ,change your approach
Edgar Lungu ‘ s speach was just okay . Let those with eyes hear and those with eyes see.
PF has coined words like ‘bitter’, ‘hatred’ and ‘tribalism’ for use at will against the UPND. Why don’t these or this PF commentator(s) stick to addressing the topic at hand instead of being abrasive? Is it lack of capacity to do so? Why not just keep quiet if you have nothing to say?
Heck, UPND sound like a kid who just lost his ball to the kid next door! EL just stole your thunder leaving you with impotent lightning hahaha
Someone educate me, what is wrong with Zambia’s Inflation Rate? I thought it has been stable and remained single digit for 3 years. What is there to address unless to keep it that way?
I expect better opposition. An example of this would be to directly issue an alternative budget to counter the PF budget. This has not happened. Also, considering the tariff increases announced by Lungu one would question the legitimacy of rationing power across the country. There was a suggestion that low- cost areas will not be allowed to consume the maximum energy available for a lower fee, now the question is this- how legal is it that people in Mtendere are not allowed to power flat- screens or I-Pads? Are they any less than people in Roma?
There is a mention of re-alignment of ministries, the question is what is the administrative cost of this? What measures have been put in place to counter a demand for imports?
I am not going to waste my time with these Hater Haters. They best way to go is keep the NRC Voter’s card handy to make sure they never make it to plot 1 even by one vote. My vote.
IF IT COMES FROM PF, IT IS A LIE. IF IT COMES FROM EDGAR LUNGU, IT IS AN INTOXICATING DRUG. PF GOVERNMENT IS WELL RENOWNED FOR DUPING ITS CITIZENS. HERE, LUNGU IS ONCE AGAIN DUPING US. LUNGU SHOULD SIMPLY RESIGN BECAUSE HE HAS FAILED TO RECAPITALIZE THE COUNTRY. LUNGU IS A WASTE. HE IS A TIME WASTER. ABASH LUNGU! ABASH PF!