By Scoop Reporter
THE government should change its focus and ensure that Zambians are prioritized and encouraged to invest in economic sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing among others, United National Independence Party (UNIP) spokesperson Andrew Mwima has said.
Speaking to The Scoop, Reverend Mwima said in the past 30 years, successive administrations had prioritized investors at the expense of local people adding that there should be a change where Zambians become number one priority in economic sectors.
“When more Zambians are involved in economic ventures such as mining and producing finished goods which can be exported, it will also help address the exchange rate which has not favoured the local currency for a long time.
When we talk about the economy of this country it affects every aspect of the Zambian land. Therefore, once Zambians are put in the forefront in all economic sectors it would advantage our country and arrest the high cost of living,” he said.
He noted that in recent years, successive regimes had prioritized the foreign investors at the expense of indigenous Zambians which was retrogressive.
Rev. Mwima said it was saddening that the poverty level had gone up compared to the time UNIP was in power.
“We suggest that the government should now change its focus and make sure that Zambians are encouraged to invest in the country and also encouraged to invest in the country,” he said.
Ren. Mwima said he was certain that when Zambians are given a chance to invest in their own country, poverty levels would be reduced and the cost of living stabilized.
“We should not only concentrate on exporting raw materials but we should also ensure that the government comes up with policies that will encourage Zambian people to be involved in producing finished goods so that these goods can also be exported to other countries for economic development.
If we export finished products, it will benefit our country and increase foreign exchange of goods and services,” he said.
Rev. Mwima also noted that the prices in the entire supply chain from maize cultivation to transportation, water and electricity tariffs had massively contributed to the rise in costs of living thus suffocating many families in the country.
