UPND accuses govt of biased development

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 08:42:23 +0000

By ALFRED TEMBO

A UPND lawmaker has accused government of biased in dishing out development resources.

Kalomo Central Member of Parliament, Harry Kamboni told the Daily Nation in an interview that the government has denied him support to enhance social and economic development in his constituency.

But chief government spokesperson, Mulenga Kampamba, said that government has deliberate plans to support all developmental programmes regardless of voting patterns during elections.

The UPND parliamentarian said the country would have benefitted from ex-Zimbabwean farmers in Kalomo had they been granted support.

“The country is struggling to develop due to partisan distribution of national resources. And it is affecting the country’s economy.

“In my constituency, there are 19 farmers originally from Zimbabwe who are committed but have been frustrated,” Mr. Kamboni said.

He said, the 19 farmers are employing more than 3,000 people from local communities and that the government needed to tap into this by providing infrastructure development.

He added that commercial farmers are struggling to export their produce due to strict policies and procedures at border posts. “There is a great possibility that they may opt to leave the country, should Zimbabwe offer them support through incentives that they are unable to get here. In that event, Zambia would have lost out on existing jobs, revenue and expertise to Zimbabwe,” explained Mr. Kamboni.

But when contacted Ms.Kampamba who is  Information and Broadcasting Services minister said all Zambians are being accorded equal chances and opportunities based on available resources.