THE Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) have praised Zambia’s economic achievements under the leadership of the ruling MMD.
Speaking at a public debate on commerce, trade and industry organised by the Economics Association of Zambia at Lusaka’s TajPamodzi Hotel on Thursday, panelists representing political parties said Zambia’s economic growth is obvious.
Bob Sichinga of the PF acknowledged in his presentation that “Yes, there has been an increase; there is no denying that there has been an increase in the investment flow”.
Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED)’s KapembwaLamba said the ruling party’s record of performance is evident for everyone to see.
“We do have development going on. I mean the statistics are there to speak for themselves,” MrLamba said, as several members of the auditorium acknowledged in unison.
ChoolweBeyani of UPND said: “If we go back to the ABC of industrialisation and development, you may remember Rosto’s fundamental elements of economic growth … we have what we call economic growth in this country; yes we must acknowledge there’s growth.”
And National Movement for Progress’s (NMP) Teddy Kayenge observed that more people have been empowered in Zambia over the past five years – three of which have been presided over by President Banda following the death of President Mwanawasa in office.
“The number of people who own cars in Zambia is very high compared to five years ago,” MrKayenge said in his presentation.
The glowing tribute paid to the governing party prompted former Commerce minister Felix Mutati to invite all opposition political parties to join the MMD and work together for development as a united force.
MrMutati, who represented the MMD alongside former Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) director for promotions and investments MuhabiLungu, said the opposition had realised that the development taking place across the country is real.
“What is pleasing is that the views we are hearing from the panel and the things that we are doing (as MMD) are absolutely the same. They (opposition) are not bringing anything different from what we are already doing,” MrMutati said.
“So, what we are saying is that just come and join us so that we can work together on the path to development because that will make things easier. Our colleagues (in the opposition) are acknowledging that we are on the right path.”
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Really, there is more investment in zambia now, for example, we have more chinese now in zambia who have come to sell chickens at city market. Really i agree 100% the government is working for the residents in zambia.
Its good to c Pf using the learned to represent them not these kaponyaz who just know how to insult and have no reasoning power whatsoever. Good to hear Bob explaining stuff that he is good at.I wonder if PF sent Summer Kamimbya I wonder what he would have said…. just thinking.
Acknowledging one aspect of the economy does not mean that the overall management has been sound.
We know that the numbers are positive so as the numbers of people wallowing in poverty. How does MMD explain this? Numbers are nothing if they have no tangible effect on the wellbeing of the people.
Sound management and equitable distribution of the national cake is evidently lacking.
Therefore, the so called “paying glowing tribute” from the opposition is grossly and nauseatingly overstated by daily mail.
Of course they have to be seen to serve the finger that feeds them
People..LT why not get your own news from these people but from daily mail…
yu can even tell from the source of news… Deadly mail…. Haaiiikona… Very bias
It is clear that the strides made by MMD to improve the economy in all sectors are big and we know that they can even do better if we give them the next five years. RB has not only kept the promise but built on it. it will folly and a huge risk to throw this nation in the hands of the `donch kubeba` lumpens.
Yes, i agree ,there are more chinese now than they were 3 years ago,they are now even selling chicken at the city market,really the economy has grown.
bob sichinga is a flop mudala uyu,tewakwesha ukuvotela ask the people of kafue,too many theories and promises before elections.mwamuvotela lelo mailo nga aisa landa thank you forget.he vanishes and he knows it he does even come back to seek re election he just hibernates when people forget about his failures he resurrects trying to con another constuency, so be careful mwe bantu
Yes, I can applaud the development but, I am abit skeptical because the so called development is not being felt by the poverty stricken Zambian. While we appreciate the inflow of investors, the govt is doing nothing about implementing the proposed minimum wage. Most workers are going home with peanuts (70 pin).
Get to China and see what development means.Even grade one kids can see what is happening from Food to transport,from roads to other infrastructure,From renovations to innovations,from culture to education,from tourism to health ,from fight against corruption to speed in the solving of cases ,the list is damn long.People work for their people.No need to publicise stuff on paper showing this and that cause people see with their own naked eyes.Economy-economy just understood by the learned and not seen by the common man and the poor.SHAME
@3, I fail to mention your name, ululimi lulafina according to my upbringing. However back to the topic, there are stages in economic development and I am sure that you understand the basic theory, i.e. before you distribute any wealth you have to create it. It is logic, when your father is poor he may just be able to feed you, when he works harder or earns more or sets up a kantemba he can buy you shoes, when he improves on that he may buy you a bicycle, and so on up the the ladder of human needs in economic theory. Building the different stages of economic growth is exactly what the MMD has done, continues to do and will continue to do up to and beyond 21st September 2011.
True as it may be that Zambia is recording positive growth,it should not be reason for Mutati to invite opposition parties to MMD.Without opposition ruling parties tend to relax thus hell breaking.A strong opposition is needed to ensure checks and balances.Thanx
@8, sorry that is a wrong example, for the Chinese to be where they are they started from somewhere. A Chinese proverb states that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. Mr Mutati has kindly invited you to work with MMD so that all your aspirations for Zambia, the dream that you have for our country to to emulate China, can be realised. There is nothing in PF except for plunderers both the new and those from the old UNIP days who are now broke and see PF as the way to restore their lost plundered wealth.
Ba mambala what economics are you talking about. Does the number of cars owned by a few Zambians in urban areas represent growth of the economic. Cars are just causing polution and congesting our roads in addition to causingn accidents. Talk of the numbers of tractors being imported into the country to boost agriculture. The high number of cars is just contributing to high fuel importation and a drain on our scarce foreign exchange. I expected these paper tiger paper experts EAZ to explain why the Exchange rate ZMK Vs US$ and major currencies is not coming down yet we are boasting Lower Middle Income status. These chaps teaching economics are living in comfort of city life whilst the majority of Zambians are wallowing in poverty. Some will have a decent meal coz campaigns going on now.Shit
I like your contribution Bwana. In fact, many of these cars are bought with dirty money seeing as there are many drug related arrests in the recent past. Genuine workers who genuinely earn their money are extremely few in Zambia, and yet we see these cars rolling in daily. Authorities must wake up and check the source of loose money all over the show.
Credit where it’s due…am a worker, am building a house, I have 2 cars in my carport because I have earned it. I can borrow from a bank and invest as I will. I do not know what economics you are talking about – economic is not as simple as how much a dollar costs. Go abroad and you will see that even the richest countries have poor people who roam and beg in the streets. Look how many Zambians own businesses, decent businesses: the bible says …let a slothful person not eat! No one should cheat us that they can put money in our pockets…I eat from the sweat of my brow. you reap rewards from efforts. Politicians too are into what they do for economic gains and they should not cheat!
Fools in the PF denying this are deluded. Even MUVI TV covered this story and had clips on your cadres stating they do not approve of the adoptions by Zondwa.
OK muppets in the PF denying this are deluded. Even MUVI TV covered this story and had clips on your cadres stating they do not approve of the adoptions by Zondwa.
Having scrapped cars from developed countries on the road is not development, this kind of thinking is want killed the textile industry when they allowed uncontrolled importation of second hand clothes. There are too many fatal accidents on the road, maybe the main cause are these old vehicle which have done their time and are being dumped cheaply in Zambia.
GOOD JOB MUHABI.CONTINUE EDUCATING THE KAPONYA PARTY.YOUHAVE MY VOTE.
” PF, UPND nod good MMD performance in a public debate ”
More cadreist nonsense. The MMD is getting desperate.
Development is a diverse term and should not be abused to mean something else. You can develop but if the majority of people are wallowing in poverty then you have nothing to show off. Penting roads black is not development, bring in useless chinese ( not all) is not development, creating employment for Chinese as expatriate gate men is not development. If you are true MMD, go to Chambishi Copper Smelter and find a choncholi that is keeping your yama’s job at the gate. Please spare us this lip service and do something for your country!
The reporting by LT is clear which side they support. For thos of you that don’t see that, it is very clear that LT is essentially a MMD mouth and propaganda tool. It’s not surprising that most of the commentators are MMD cadres that lack brains.