Zambian economist Oliver Saasa said the country’s economy has already performed above average in 2012.

Professor Saasa said all the economic indicators have posted positive gains and that all is looking bright.

Giving his analysis on how the economy has performed in 2012 so far, Prof. Saasa told ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that the country’s economy has performed exceptionally well.

He cited the price of copper which has remained fairly high, the boom in the agriculture sector and the continued conducive investment climate as being behind the positive economic performance the country has achieved in 2012.

Prof. Saasa said the country has also recorded substantial export inflows particularly in the mining sector averaging to between US$2 billion and US$3 billion which has helped to stabilise the economy.

He said the agriculture sector has also played a major role in stabilizing inflation as prices of food stuffs such as mealie meal have been sustained.

Prof. Saasa stated that it was imperative therefore that as the country goes into the New Year, government leaders should remain consistent with their policy pronouncements to avoid scaring away foreign investors.

He said despite all the positive gains Zambia has recorded, the country has the potential to do better than it has recorded.

Prof. Saasa said the growth prospects are bright saying the country has the potential to further grow the economy.

He said what Zambia needs was to maintain the hospitable political and investment climate currently obtaining in order to maximize the potential the country has.

The local economist has since called on politicians to minimize the ‘political fights’ which have gripped the political scene currently but instead resort to dialogue and solve issues affecting the country.

He noted that avoiding political squabbles will project a good image of the country to the outside world.

He said political fights have the potential to disrupt the good investment climate the country is experiencing.

Prof. Saasa challenged government to exercise leadership and bring all the parties to the negotiating table to discuss issues of national interest.

He said it was imperative that politicians do politics that reflect the good investment climate that is obtaining in the country.

And speaking in a separate interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Private Sector Development Association Chairperson Yusuf Dodia said there was need to focus on growing the domestic industry for the wellbeing of the country’s economy.

Mr. Dodia said an economy such as Zambia’s can only grow sustainably if its domestic industry is developed.

ZANIS

President Michael Sata has reiterated that the PF Government will work with all progressive parliamentarians with the interest of the nation at heart regardless of their political affiliation.

This is in response to unfounded allegations by some opposition leaders that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) is aiming at decimating the opposition through induced parliamentary by-elections.

But President Sata said if the opposition parties whose members of parliament are currently serving in Government allowed their parliamentarians to contribute without intimidation there would be no need for by-elections.

“The laws of the land allow the country to hold by-elections as and when they arise. This is the democratic system we have chosen for ourselves. Therefore, it is deceitful for the opposition to hold the PF Government responsible for this state of affairs, which is largely due to their leaders’ egoistic rides coupled with grave political judgment deficits,” the President said.

“The Zambian people are aware that these by-elections are actually as a result of the high-handed actions of the same opposition leaders who are making it difficult for those MPs that have chosen to collaborate with the PF Government to operate effectively.”

The Head of State maintained that his administration will work with whoever is prepared to contribute to the development of the country. President Sata said the sole purpose of this inclusivity and co-existence is to stimulate economic and social growth among others.

“To that effect, I have with good intentions appointed our colleagues from the opposition into Government. But it is the same misguided and unpatriotic opposition leaders that have been threatening to make the country ungovernable,” President Sata said.

“What is the Government supposed to do when injudicious leaders of the opposition do everything possible to try and undermine Government’s ability to deliver services to the people? Every responsible Government world over will ensure that it consolidates itself to be in a position to deliver on the promises that got it elected into office.

“Our dear Pastor Nevers Mumba, who is at the forefront of expelling others for serving in Government, was made Republican Vice-President from an opposition party. What has changed today? When it was in Government the MMD appointed ministers from the opposition parties, why should it be different today?”

President Sata advised the opposition political parties to appreciate the value of inclusivity and patriotism if they genuinely seek to serve the people of Zambia.

Under fire MMD National Secretary Major Kachingwe has revealed that no one will force him to leave the former ruling party.

“I’m a military officer and officers don’t resign, those that want me out of the MMD may need to bring a crane and a bull dozer to get me out of here,” Major Kachingwe told a media briefing Wednesday morning.

He said he has been loyal to the party together with his Deputy Chembe Nyangu even during the hardest times in the life of the party.

Major Kachingwe said reports that he has been frequenting State House to solicit for a job are malicious.

“What kind of a job can I look for at my age? Moreover if I needed a job from President Sata, I would simply call him and say Bashikulu, I need your help but that is not me. I believe in the ideals of this party and will not sell out,” he said.

He however admitted having visited State House on two occasions to discuss with President Michael Sata the appointment of MMD MP’s to serve in the PF government.

“Yes I have been to State House twice, not to look for a job but first to seek an appointment and when that appointment was granted, I went in the company of Honourable Catherine Namugala and we got assurance from President Sata that the affected MP’s were told to keep their allegiance to the MMD.”

Major Kachingwe who produced correspondence between his office and State House said he avoided speaking about out about accusations that he went to State House to look for a job because he wanted to get clearance from President Sata before discussing such issues in the press.

“We left State House satisfied and I believe that initiative to engage President Sata prevented the wastage of national resources which might have gone into bye elections,” he said.

“I know President Sata very well, when he was MP in Kabwata, I served as his Constituency Chairman and I will not go out and start insulting him, I respect him as my Commander in Chief. If some MMD MP’s are looking for a party CEO who will insult the President every day in the press, I’m afraid that person is not Major Kachingwe,” he said.

Some officials in the MMD youth wing have been attacking Major Kachingwe in the media accusing him of undermining efforts by party President Nevers Mumba to strengthen the former ruling party.
The youth also accuse Major Kachingwe of soliciting for a job in the PF government.

United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has accused the PF government of planning to cause about 30 by-elections in the country.

Mr. Hichilema has told QFM News in an interview that his party is aware that the PF government has allegedly given some Members of Parliament about K100 million each meant to buy off opposition councilors.

He says with the looming by- elections, the country would spend about K300 billion.

Mr. Hichilema added that such huge resources can be diverted to other needy areas in the country for the benefits of many Zambians.

And the ruling Patriotic Front in Southern Province has advised UPND parliamentarians wishing to work with the ruling party not to allow their party president Hakainde Hichilema to intimidate them.

PF Southern Province Political Secretary Brian Hapunda says some UPND parliamentarians in Southern province have expressed interest to work with the ruling party but that they have unfortunately been threatened with expulsion by the top leadership of the party.

Hapunda says the UPND leadership should realize that real development can only be effected by the party in government.

Speaking to QFM News, Hapunda says the PF is not forcing opposition members of parliament to resign from their parties but is only interested in working with the opposition in spreading development.

He says it is very unfortunate to even learn that some of the UPND MPs who expressed interest in working with the government were served with death threats.

Hapunda however says whether the UPND likes it or not, the Patriotic Front is penetrating the province adding that nothing will stop the momentum because people have already made up their minds.

He has since advised the UPND parliamentarians to also take advantage of the assurance of protection to MMD MPs serving in government by President Michael Sata.

QFM