Hjoe Moono

Last week we got treated to the legendary ‘one minute’ Labour Day speech by our president who seemed to have emphasised the existence of a Public Sector Wage and Employment Freeze. The Labour Minister Mr. Fackson Shamenda deemed the one minute speech ‘Powerful’-whatever that means, we will take his word for it.

Usually a wage and employment freeze is the first step governments facing a recession get at as a way of cutting costs and staying afloat during the recession. It acts as a cost-cutting measure typically taken by countries that are experiencing or anticipating financial difficulties. It involves holding employee monetary compensation constant for a period of time—such as two years proposed by government–with no cost-of-living or merit increases in pay. Indeed, these are commonplace during recessions, and in extreme recessions, they accompany employee layoffs.

When fiscal problems begin to affect a country, as evidenced by our higher than planned for deficits in expenditure, one of the first measures usually taken is an attempt to cut costs. For example, if an employer’s annual budget includes a cost-of-living increase of say 7 %( or any such indexed to inflation) each year, a wage freeze could effectively reduce budget expenditures, thereby reducing future payroll costs.

However, when the wage freeze is targeted at already poorly paid employees, there is a problem there. There could be benefits to government employee morale if the wage freeze applies to all senior government executives as well as the rank and file employees. However, even in the wake of the so called wage freeze, we have continued to be showcased the weekly swearing ceremonies that seem to increase employment for a select few in our society.

Question is are we facing a recession? Or is it a selective recession affecting only the poorly paid employees? If all is well economy wide as we are made to believe, then why the wage and employment freeze? Recessionary periods almost always involve salary freezes as soon as the threat of recession is recognized. Has Mr. Chikwanda sensed some kind of pending recession in Zambia? Or is the two year freeze aimed at a mass salary and employment rise in the year of the general elections in 2016 to woo voters? How different will this be then from MMD’s formula one roads?

Let us take note that less money placed in the pockets of employees means less money stimulating demand for product or services in the country and this would have an inevitable negative impact on our economy. Government being the largest employer, a freeze would entail a ‘society’ cut back on spending, thus reducing demand for goods, which could further worsen employees’ livelihoods and hurt our productive sectors.

Clearly Zambia is not facing a recession to warrant such recessionary measures that will hurt our people. Rather, it is facing probably the most fiscally indisciplined government whose policies have turned our country into a recession like nation—it is only during recessions when digging trenches, as is happening in Zambia, temporarily, is deemed employment! A clear lack of fiscal discipline on the part of government, and the excessive expenditure on large scale investments with vague/low economic return but high political prestige is what has led us to the era one minute speeches—indeed, there is nothing to be proud of.

In the 2015 budget, Mr. Chikwanda needs to explain to the nation exactly what the government’s aim with our economy is, and his address must coordinate effectively with other Ministers’ concerns too, and these must be consistent. Editing out the year in last years’ budget speech template will not do any good to our economy.

We expect that a clearly laid our policy plan be stated, and followed, and that surprises such as those seen previous years be avoided. As stated before, a good finance minister will keep his nation informed about the true state of the economy and prepares public opinion for adoption of appropriate policy measures to keep the economy healthy. A bad one, on the other hand, misreports facts and silences the public into believing that all is well until the economy crumbles.

Hjoe Moono

For a while we have focussed on the shortcomings of the PF’s government, and have conveniently forgotten and turned a blind eye to its achievements thus far. Until now, those that have been attacking and criticising government—including ourselves—seem to have been doing a much better job than the seemingly few who have been trying to defend it. While there are so many things we deem could be done better, there are equally a lot of achievements that deserve mention. And so, it is only fair that today’s homily be dedicated to enlighten those who may not be in Zambia about government’s forgotten and unsung achievements—even at the risk of being deemed a PF cadre.

Name calling

One of the most consistent critics about Zambian governments and politics is that it has a poor record of achievement. Most in opposition have constantly promoted the idea that government fails more often than it succeeds. And when they make it to government, the same sentiments continue from those ‘outside’. We need to better understand, and appreciate the vital roles that government plays in our country.

Let us face it, no party would form government with the sole purpose of crippling our country and economy, though its actions may lead to that, if not curbed and guided properly. Herein lies our role to realign the government of the day’s policies with the needs of the population just in case it fall out of tune.

We all recall the sad names our people called Levy Patrick Mwanawasa (MHSRIP), and how, even the incumbent leaders issued derogatory remarks and mocked his seemingly poor health, and yet, today, everyone, including our leaders, claim and agree that LPM is perhaps the most accomplished president in modern day Zambian politics. Enter Rupiah Banda, again, all sorts of ill names were levelled against him, and became the most unpopular president Zambia has ever had in 2011. Michael Chilufya Sata- probably the most accomplished political strategist in modern day Zambian politics—and you have people that hated RB now claiming they miss him, and some regret having voted for PF. So then, are we going to be a country, a people, that consistently fulfils the adage-You only realize the value of something when it’s finally gone?

Giving credit where credit is due

I think it is only fair that we look around us, and for a minute, realise the good that our successive governments have done, that our current government, even with its flaws, is doing.
One of the most common complaints about government is that it is not doing enough to address a whole host of problems. For example, the recent increase in road traffic accidents could in part be addressed by improving the state of our roads—and this is being done aggressively so. But then, there is a corresponding responsibility from the citizenry that use these roads to abide by the set driving rules to ensure road safety; to make their cars road worthy and to drive in a manner that does not put their lives and the lives of others at risk. It should not always be the responsibility of government through RATSA—we need to play our part too.

Poverty— of course our people remain in extreme poverty with a high level of poverty among the general population still existing, but it is important to note that government efforts in the recently rolled out Social Cash Transfers to the elderly in rural areas are helping alleviate the suffering of our elderly who have no muscle for any economic activity. I have seen this work in our villages, and our elderly appreciate this. Surely it is worth noting.

Infrastructure

However, we know that government could actually do much more. How do we know this? Because governments in many other countries have already done much more to effectively address these problems as we are facing.

Around the country, crucial infrastructure facilities – roads, bridges, sewers, etc. – are rapidly deteriorating. Most of the nation’s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. In addition, most of Zambia’s wastewater systems face enormous needs. Most sewer systems are obsolete, just take a walk into Kanyama, Misisi and George Compounds and you will be greeted with the real face of infrastructure deficit facing our country.

But thanks to the multi-million dollar agreement under the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) initiated in the MMD era and signed in the PF regime that will help improve water and sanitation infrastructure in Lusaka.

Furthermore, if it is true to their word that the recently acquired enormous debts from the euro bond is aimed at reducing this infrastructure deficit and improving the already existing ones, then we need to appreciate and develop more confidence in the work of government, but that will also yield the need for accountability, and that will be our role, as well as that of the auditor general.

Visiting Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport two weeks ago was a good sight—the state of the airport’s international arrivals is superb, and this is hoped to increase tourism in Livingstone. However, there is need to move beyond just tourist arrivals, we need to further empower the locals of Livingstone to enable them benefit from the increased tourist traffic.

The overall state of infrastructure in Livingstone seemingly has improved, but there should not be a blind eye turned to the farm-to market roads that feed our nation. These should be prioritised. We do look forward to the new KK Airport that will be a state of the art to replace the rather ancient structure currently standing.

I have seen, and personally inspected the soon to be opened ring roads aimed at reducing congestion in Lusaka, and can only compare the marvel it will bring to our city to the newly created ring roads in Nairobi. This is a good development deserving mention, and should not be swept under the carpet in our critique of government’s work.
I could go on to list an array of success stories that deserve mention, but I am sure the readers would be better placed than I am to compile an exhaustive list. Nonetheless, with all said, there is considerable room for improvement, and it is the responsibility of each one of us to hold our government accountable.

Individual responsibility

To end, let me emphasis the need for individual responsibility irrespective of the nature of the administration in power. Whether a new party wins the 2016 elections or the PF continues, the blame game on government will continue, as it has always. But let us ask ourselves, is it government to blame when 30 secondary school girls at Kaoma fall pregnant? Should we blame the sex education programs in our public schools? When our kids are misbehaving and defying authority? Is it the fault of the public schools for not teaching them the right values? Are you worried about promiscuity among young people and teenage pregnancy? When WHO reports that our women are the heaviest drinkers in the world, should we take the blame to government? There is a lot of litter around our city? Should we blame our government for not policing us to litter in the designated places? Boma iyanganepo?