Rich, poor gap worries Lungu

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 10:47:16 +0000

By OSCAR MALIPENGA

PRESIDENT Lungu has expressed concern that the gap between the poor and the rich remains wide and has urged Zambians to work together to reduce the unacceptable income disparity. 

He said rural poverty remains as high as 76.6 percent and the unemployment rate is 7.4 percent and that this was unacceptable.

Speaking when he launched the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) in Lusaka yesterday, the Head of State noted that he would ensure that further planned interventions help bridge the gap.

The Head of State said the projected resource envelope for the plan period is estimated at K342.3 billion, averaging K68.5 billion annually.

He said cooperating partners would be expected to contribute at least K12.6 billion which would help ease pressure on the national Treasury.

“The fiscal deficit is, therefore, expected to close at 1.4 percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2021,” he said.

He noted the need for more quality jobs with the implementation of the 7NDP.

“Government is committed to addressing these challenges as we continue building on the progress made so far towards the attainment of the Vision 2030.

“Notwithstanding the challenges encountered, we are determined, like our noble eagle, to build a resilient and diversified economy,” President Lungu said. He said he wanted an economy where value addition and knowledge-based activities were deeply entrenched in line with the principles of a smart Zambia.

President Lungu said the overarching strategic focus of the Seventh National Development Plan was to accelerate development efforts towards the Vision 2030. “This strategic focus underscores Government’s determination to diversify the economy and create more jobs to reduce poverty and inequalities.

“The implementation of the plan will also result in other key development outcomes such as enhanced human development and creation of a conducive governance environment,” he said.

President Lungu said the plan seeks to bring about inclusive development without leaving anyone behind in line with the principles of Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

And President Lungu noted that the Government will deliver its plans as expressed in its national Budget to avoid financial calamities.

He called on the Ministry of Finance to stay on its toes and advise Government the moment it went astray.

“I have heard people saying ‘chimbwi no plan’; we do not want to be ‘chimbwi no plan’. We want to work according the Budget,” he said.

He said the successful implementation of the 7th National Development Plan required stronger linkages between the plan and the Budget.

“It is therefore important that national budgets are aligned to the programmes contained in the national development plan,” he said.

President Lungu said despite the poverty decline between 2006 and 2015, there was need for Government to do more as rural poverty was really high, at over 70 percent.

He said together Zambia can prosper and achieve very high development outcomes.

The Head of State noted successes of countries such as South Korea and Malaysia who once stood at par with Zambia as having made it.

He gave direction to Zambia’s broad parameter of the PF government’s development agenda and gave direction on which Zambia was expected to navigate its development in the next four years.

“I therefore urge all Zambians from all walks of life, young and old, rural and urban, from Shangombo to Kaputa and from Chipata to Mongu to be fully committed to the implementation of our plan,” President Lungu said.

Meanwhile, President Lungu has put his ministers to task by announcing that those that do not successfully execute Government’s development agenda in their respective ministries would be axed.

President Lungu said he would like to see performance contracts for ministers just like permanent secretaries and the execution and development delivery of their ministry would let him know whether to keep them or not.

He observed ministers equally needed to be made accountable.

And World Bank country representative Ina Ruthernburg said the 7th National Development Plan was critical to achieve the goal of 2030 as it would determine first whether Zambia would become a prosperous middle income country or not.

“Secondly, whether it will be a country that share its prosperity or not; thirdly, whether it will be a country that leaves a lot of people behind that still struggle with  high levels of poverty, particularly in rural areas.

“I feel a strong sense of urgency to get specific and action-oriented,” he said.

And UN resident coordinator, Janet Roga, has called on stakeholders and the country at large to set aside their political differences and focus on implementing the plan.

She said the five-year plan provides a pathway to enhanced national development.

And National Development Planning Minister, Lucky Mulusa, explained that the plan was home grown, for affording Zambians’ ownership, realizing that human resource was the key factor of development.