Reintroduce subsidies in key sectors of the economy to ease the suffering of citizens-Saboi

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) President Saboi Imboela has called on the Zambian government to reintroduce subsidies in key sectors of the economy to ease the suffering of citizens. Ms Imboela argued that the removal of subsidies on fuel, electricity, and the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) was an International Monetary Fund (IMF) condition that was subjecting Zambians to untold misery and suffering.

Speaking at a press conference in Lusaka, Ms Imboela called on the new dawn administration to renegotiate the conditions with the IMF and reintroduce subsidies in agriculture and energy if it has the interests of Zambians at heart. She emphasized that subsidies could cushion the shocks that come from external forces and help to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Zambians.

Ms Imboela expressed disappointment in the government’s approach to economic recovery, arguing that the new dawn administration viewed the IMF as the only solution to Zambia’s economic recovery, which she believes is putting the lives of ordinary Zambians in danger. She urged the government to consider an economic recovery plan that would not subject Zambians to more suffering.

She pointed out that other countries that Zambia is trying to emulate have subsidies for critical sectors like agriculture. However, Ms Imboela criticized the government for being so dependent on borrowing, which has resulted in the adoption of bailout packages with conditions that do not make sense for the Zambian economy.

Ms Imboela argued that the removal of subsidies on fuel, electricity, and FISP had negatively impacted Zambians, who are already grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that the removal of subsidies had resulted in the continued increase of fuel prices, which she said was an indication that the United Party for National Development (UPND) had failed Zambians.

Ms Imboela highlighted that the removal of subsidies on FISP would have a devastating effect on agriculture in Zambia. She pointed out that the new dawn administration had budgeted only one percent of the total budget for agriculture, which she described as a huge mess. She argued that the reintroduction of subsidies in agriculture would help to boost production and food security in the country.

In response to Ms Imboela’s call, some Zambians expressed support for the reintroduction of subsidies. A local farmer, John Phiri, said that the removal of subsidies on FISP had made it difficult for farmers to access farm inputs, which he said was affecting food production in the country. He called on the government to reintroduce subsidies on FISP and agriculture to boost production and improve food security.

Another Zambian, Mary Mukuka, said that the removal of subsidies on fuel had resulted in the increased cost of transportation, which had affected her business. She said that the reintroduction of subsidies would help to reduce the cost of transportation and improve the business environment in the country.

Meanwhile, the government has defended its decision to remove subsidies on fuel, electricity, and FISP. The Minister of Finance, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said that the removal of subsidies was necessary to address the country’s fiscal deficit, which he said was a result of the mismanagement of public finances by the previous government.

Mr. Musokotwane said that the government was committed to implementing economic policies that would promote sustainable economic growth and development in the country. He urged Zambians to be patient and support the government’s efforts to address the challenges facing the country’s economy.

She added that the reintroduction of subsidies in critical sectors of the economy is a contentious issue in Zambia. While some believe that subsidies could help to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Zambians and cushion the shocks that come from external forces, others argue that subsidies are not sustainable and could lead to more economic