We’re beggars in own country - Chisengalumbwe

ZAMBIA is a richly endowed country but many of its citizens continue to live in poverty because of poor governance under the UPND administration, says Brian Chisengalumbwe.

But repeated calls made to UPND officials, including the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media Thabo Kawana did not pick up repeated calls made to them to substantiate the allegations.

Mr Chisengalumbwe said the August 13, general election presented Zambians with an opportunity to elect leaders who would prioritise constitutional reforms, national unity and economic transformation.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Chisengalumbwe outlined 12 reasons why President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND should not be returned to office.

He said instead of reducing presidential powers, the UPND regime had consolidated them while limiting broader participation in decision-making.

“The UPND has increased presidential powers instead of reducing them. In the UPND only one person is allowed to think,” Mr Chisengalumbwe said.

He also claimed that Government had increased the cost of running both the Executive and Parliament without delivering corresponding improvements in public service delivery or economic performance.

“They have increased the cost of running Government without increasing Government income and increased the cost of running Parliament without increasing the impact of Parliament,” he said.

Mr Chisengalumbwe also accused Government of presiding over a sharp increase in the cost of living while failing to improve workers’ incomes.

“The cost of living has gone up without corresponding increases in the minimum wage, salaries, profits or productivity,” he said.

He said although the government had expanded the Social Cash Transfer programme, it had failed to address unemployment, particularly among young people.

Mr Chisengalumbwe also criticised the continued politicisation of the Civil Service and Foreign Service through the appointment of political cadres.

He accused the UPND of failing to unite the country, strengthen constitutionalism and promote social justice.