Sat, 20 Jan 2018 09:15:22 +0000
By VOLET TEMBO
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu must consider dropping non-performing ministers if they do not step down on moral grounds because their complacent attitude towards work is an affront to tackling poverty levels in the country, the Lamba-Lima Royal Council (LLRC) has demanded.
LLRC chairperson Joseph Nsundwe told the Daily Nation that the royal establishment was contemplating calling for a meeting to draw the attention of President Lungu to the ministers who were not worthy to be in his cabinet as their continued stay in their respective ministries was disadvantaging Zambians.
Speaking in a walk-in interview, Mr. Nsundwe said that the laziness exhibited by some serving ministers was denting the image of the Head of State thereby putting into jeopardy, his proactivity in ensuring that the country attained economic growth.
He said the Lamba-Lima establishment had not witnessed any tangible development in some sectors despite receiving assurances from the ministers responsible through vague policy directives and empty statements which were not translated into action.
“There are ministers who are Members of Parliament right in our establishment who are acquainted and know that the economic main-stay of the local people is agriculture and that the poverty levels have continued to increase. Let them be sincere and point at what their sectors have done in the Lamba–Lima establishment to uplift the living standards of the people.
“We hear some ministers making statements about the agriculture sector in the media where they are giving fake figures of what they intend to do or what they are doing but the reality on the ground is the exact opposite. What is being reported is not factual. Every marketing season farmers have been subjected to delayed delivery of farming inputs.
“Some people are just born lazy and being given such huge responsibility is a burden on the citizens and we demand that they be relieved of their duties.” Mr. Nsundwe said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nsundwe said it was embarrassing for a country that attained its independence 53 years ago to continue importing agricultural products when it had the resources and capacity to develop the sector.
He emphasized on the need for the country to enhance its development of the agriculture and livestock sectors which would in turn improve the livelihoods of its people and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“There are lessons from countries such as Malaysia and other countries where deliberate investment in strengthening their science capacity and human capital development have led to major economic advancement.
“There is also need to identify a pool of talent at universities as they are an important resource in this effort. There is need to explore the possible role of universities and agricultural colleges in the process of supporting transformation of agricultural sector and contributing to inclusive economic growth,” he said.
