The Foundation for Democratic Process for democratic process has described the recent increase in salaries for Constitutional office bearers as immoral, unfair and untimely especially that the increment is more than what the public workers were awarded by the same government. In a statement submitted to Lusakatimes and signed by McDonald Chipenzi, the Executive Director, the organisation humbly appealed to the PF government to walk its campaign talk and reenergize electorate’s confidence in its administration by up-taking efforts on poverty reduction which has affected majority Zambians for years now rather than concentrating on impressing the few constitutional office bearers.
Below is the full statement
FODEP’s position on salary increment for constitutional office bearers
The position of the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) on the recent announced salary increment for Constitutional Office Bearers after consulting its structures is that the move is immoral, unfair and untimely especially that the increment is more than what the public workers were awarded by the same government.
Ironically, the increment is also coming barely nine months when the new government publicly stated that it had inherited a ruined economy reason it could not award public workers more than 15% increment and that many Zambians were poverty stricken. It is perturbing however, to observe that the increment for constitutional office bearers has negated the above realities. This just demonstrates that our leaders assume those offices to live luxurious lives and enrich themselves at the expense of the poor.
This, to a larger extent, dampens the morale of the majority Zambians who turned en masse on 20th September 2011, to vote for change with the hope of enjoying improved living conditions and the benefits accrued from the attainment of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).
FODEP is also concerned that the PF government’s progressive position on reduced government expenditure is taking an opposite direction from what was promised to the people during campaigns. The propagated cost saving measures promised by the new government seems to have taken a reverse gear as witnessed by the continued bloating of Cabinet, Civil service establishment as a result of the creation of new ministries and un-budgeted for districts and consequent appointment of district commissioners to man these newly established districts. Further, numerous unbudgeted for Commissions of inquiries have been appointed whose cost is colossal and findings still unimplemented further raising questions on the rationale of those commissions of inquiries.
Since democracy is about majority interest, FODEP would humbly wish to appeal to the PF government to walk its campaign talk and reenergize electorate’s confidence in its administration by up-taking efforts on poverty reduction which has affected majority Zambians for years now rather than concentrating on impressing the few constitutional office bearers. FODEP further humbly appeals to His Excellency President Michael Sata to halt the implementation of this immoral salary increment for the constitutional office bearers who are already enjoying a number of government benefits than any other citizen in this country.
Signed:
McDonald Chipenzi
Executive Director
We Tired of hearing your positions on issues affecting the country you NGOs. Talk is cheap!
More money in the pockets. Some of us who know Sata and PF will not be shocked by what is happening. It is good that zambians are seeing with their own eyes what we used to tell them before elections. Any way, it is a good lesson.
Chanda Chiimba lll what a prophet.What is Father Bwalya saying about his massiah(sata)
A prophet foretells not forwarnsÂ
What is the ratio, in terms of numbers of these “Constitutional Office Bearers” to other “Public Service Workers”? I am looking at the impact of these increments on the treasury. Which one is fatal. Are the Constitutional Office Bearers pensionable? Therein is the jinx. This seems to be a problem for our politicians. However, I ain’t in support of this increment at all. PF, did we write down what we promised?
Congratulations FODEP for calling a spade a spade.Only if you continue doing so may the government deliver to the expectation of the citizens,if at all they listen
JUST VOTE FOR TALIA AND ZAMBIA WILL BE US$300K RICHER, DON’T LISTEN TO THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE HIDING WHEN THEY DO IT HOTEL ROOMS.
When HH said that real change cannot be brought by pipo who have already been in govt, he was scorned at. They said he had no political experience but now we can see what political experience entails-realising that RB and his ministers were getting too little so we need to double that. Anyhow, political experience is paying off and the stupid post and membe supports this immoral act jst cos his own pipo are now part of grz. It’s a shame! How can u justify 15percent for civil servants who are even doing a lot for this nation than those tricksters? Who is poorer a teacher in shangombo and an MP for chinsali?
Objection to salary increase for constitutional officers and MPs should be coming from OPPOSITION MPs. By keeping QUIET you are showing us that you are part and party of the SELFISH governance of our country. How do you increase your salaries before you have done any tangible work at all. You ought to be ashamed of your selves all you lot.
Indeed unbudgeted , districts, more money from the poor, iits a shame poor  think iits the ggovt tto solve there problems not eeven God can say yes to ur prayers.
More dirty money in PF` s pockets. Cursed is PF as a party
The problem is you sleep too much the so called NGO.
It is straight forward. We told you that you’re jumping from a fraying into fire. Fr. Luhonde is quiet, the catholics are quiet, m’mumembe is quiet. The next thing is, they will start tresing our emails to keep us quiet. Anyone remember the Kaunda days. Those days are coming. watch this space.
awe mwandini, finshi twinga sosa nomba? Chipesha amano aba bantu………..
We told you that PF would make the worst government in this world but chapa mutu gwa! Â These PF thugs are the most selfish fools in the world. Instead of apologizing they are even justifying their stupidity. This is the worst madness since the creation of the world! Civil servants should demand for 100% salary increment also or down tools. No one can blame civil servant when they go on strike to demand 100% salary increment! The worst government ever! I rest my case!
What else can you say, this is also corruption of the highest order. PF is basically legitimizing an easier and official way of emptying Govt. coffers through salary increases. The so called constitutional officers already get a lot, most of them drive personal to holder Govt. vehicles, meaning that they don’t need to pay for fuel costs whenever on business. More districts and positions are being created without consulting the cabinet or parliament. Who will pay for all those new districts and officers who will be running them? Where are the so called “brains” and usual critics of Govt. business like Mmembe, Father Bwalya etc. We are in very big trouble, and I saw this coming. Sata is a dictator and has already passed his usefulness, he should not have been elected in the first place.
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