Dear editor,
One of the frequently asked questions from the opponents of the PF manifesto has been whether it is necessary for a party in power to make promises, write a manifesto or stand on a podium to deliver campaign messages. Others have argued that the political party in power should dispense with promises and instead explain what it has done.
Of course a closer look at the PF manifesto reveal that the PF manifesto focuses on what that the PF has done, what it is doing and what it will do in an event Zambians opted to renew its mandate for another five years. However, for their own reasons, the political opponents ignored the PF analysis on what has been done and focus on what is being promised to be done.
We now highlight the notable achievements of that the PF has scored in different sectors which conversely should be the basis upon which President Lungu’s mandate should be renewed for another five years.
Since coming into power, the PF government has increased the number of beneficiaries for Farmer Input support programme (FISP) to 1, 000, 000 farmers. One of the factors that has contributed is the transitioning to E-voucher which has made the farmers to diversify their farming activities as farmers have gone beyond the traditional maize farming. With the implementation of the e-voucher, ghost farmers have been removed from the list of beneficiaries which has increased the resource envelope to support the agricultural sector. In mining, President Lungu has implemented unprecedented measures and has guaranteed the protection of jobs through interventions.
The government has broken the long held arm twisting norm by multinational mining houses which has been influencing the mining policies mostly taxation to the detriment of the Zambian people. As at now, 30, 000 miners at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) have been returned to work and been paid their accrued benefits.
In the health sector, 23, 000 health workers have been employed and posted at the various health posts that have been built across the country. The demand for the services of health workers has been stimulated by the construction of 559 health posts as well as 100 district hospitals coupled with the establishment of the specialized medical units in the health care facilities. Of course one of the signature health project is the affordable health care which has been effected by the establishment of the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) which has integrated income earners both from the public and private sector. In fact as at now the authority has registered over 1 million people on its database which will translate into millions of beneficiaries.
In the education sector, so far 700 schools have been built and 6 public universities have been built and they are already offering educational services to the nation. In various specialized programs of study.
In the Information Communication Technology, the government has constructed 800 communication towers which has eased connectivity.
The PF government created the Ministry of Infrastructure Development to be the pioneer of the infrastructural projects. Since the creation of the Ministry in September, 2016, 7000 Kilometers of roads have been done and 2350 houses have been done to the Zambia Police officers have been commissioned and handed over. Additionally, 1000 houses have been built at 48 marine Kala base. The aviation industry has been at the receiving end of 2 major airports which have been done and now in use.
The PF government with President Lungu at its helm has been the promise keeper with the ambitious and robust economic activities. The 2021-26 manifesto is the document of reference which will form the basis of the policy framework and lay the basis for formulation of policies. Continuity with President means continuity with development.
Marvin Chanda Mberi
Kitwe.
