By ROGERS KALERO
THE increase in fuel prices has spoiled the Christmas mood for the majority of Zambians who are already hunger stricken and is likely to further worsen the poverty levels in communities, the Patriotic Front (PF) has said.
PF Copperbelt Provincial Mobilisation Secretary, Kangwa Puta said the Christmas mood for the majority of Zambians had been spoiled by the New Dawn government’s decision to increase fuel price when they were scrounging and smuggling to find food to enjoy Christmas in a small and humble way.
Ms Kangwa said following the increase in the fuel prices, majority of Zambians, who were poverty and hunger stricken will have to stretch themselves beyond limits and may not be able to enjoy the usual Christmas meals because most of the prices for various food stuffs will go up.
“When I say the New Dawn government has spoiled the Christmas mood for the majority of Zambians following its decision to increase fuel prices, I am not politicking, but its reality because once fuel is increased, the price of everything goes up.
Ms Puta said the bullet-biting reforms which the UPND government has embarked on with no regard for the sufferings of the majority of Zambians , will take its political fortunes down at a very high speed.
She said it was sad that before it can settle down, the New Dawn administration of President Hakainde Hichilema was already subjecting Zambians who voted for him to bullet-biting reforms which may not even benefit them in future despite being used to sacrifice.
“The PF was a pro-poor government, it cared about the common man and this was why it introduced subsidies in fuel and electricity to cushion the impact on an ordinary and common man, but the New Dawn does not care about the poor and under-privileged.
“The UPND is not looking at the poor or under-privileged. It is a government of the elite, but only used the poor to get their votes. After getting the votes of the poor, it started coming up with policies and reforms which continue to worsen their poverty,” she said.
She said the UPND has forgotten that the power and authority it was enjoying now was not self-made, but came from the majority of Zambians who voted for it.
“Increasing fuel prices and electricity tariffs, the effects are not felt by those who drive and live in town. Issues of fuel are very political as they affect each and every individual using a vehicle to get wherever he or she was travelling,” she said
Ms Puta said she had observed high level of arrogance among UPND cadres in some blogs who wanted to defend the New Dawn administration and President Hichilema over the increment in fuel.
”Arrogance or intimidating people will not take UPND any where , if anything, it may get them out of power. So the situation now is that people are already regretting for UPND and arrogance may just worsen the situation.
“UPND must listen to our advice because we have been in government before and we have learn lessons, but if they think the are so intelligent and wise, and can continue with their arrogance, then we are here to see,” she said.
