NOTHING TO SHOW
…UPND can’t explain its achievements because there’s none, Kalumba says.
By Mast Reporter
CURRENTLY, the United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership is finding it difficult to explain to the people of Zambia its government’s achievements because there is nothing to show, Leadership Movement (LM) national chairman David Kalumba has observed.
Kalumba said it was ridiculous for the UPND to seek another term in office when it was failing to explain to the voters how its last fives in power had benefited Zambians.
President Hakainde Hichilema has promised that if his party is given another five years, the price of fuel will come down, farmers will no longer get fertiliser in medas and that the cost of living will reduce.
“So, why make new and fresh promises? What is the basis of the new launch [of the UPND manifesto] after failing to fulfill the old promises made? Is Mr [President Hakainde] Hichilema telling Zambians that the cost of living has improved for him to make new commitments? Is he telling Zambians in Matero that the 5.7 gross domestic product (GDP) has impacted positively on the lives of our people? Why is Mr Hichilema failing to tell Zambians how much his government owes local contractors?” he said.
Kalumba said it was important for Hichilema and the UPND to pay attention to the cries of the people instead of burdening them with new promises, which were unattainable.
“And this is what the people of Zambia are saying. They are not ready to listen to another batch of fake promises. That is why they are saying aba ni bapunka, and they will not be allowed to do that again,” he said.
Kalumba said the hope for a better Zambia lay in the Leadership Movement’s economic development programme, which focused on pro-poor adjustment.
“We’re driving a Zambian ownership agenda; we need our people to own the economy through land, infrastructure, mines, the financial systems, production, manufacturing and all. We want our people to be productive, and they shall produce enough goods and services which will be attractive to the region and the international market,” he said.
