UPND loses role - Moono

By ALFRED TEMBO THE United Party for National Development (UPND) continued efforts towards disparaging the country’s economic stability has down played its credibility as a serious alternative to the administration of President Edgar Lungu, a reputable senior economist has said.

Herryman Moono, who is former Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ) secretary general, said the opposition has failed to appreciate its role following inabilities to establish a shadow administration that would keep track of their ruling counterparts. Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation Mr. Moono said globally, opposition parties were instrumental to change and preserve democratic abilities of a government.

“The role of the opposition is as important as the role of the ruling party because they both profess to serve the nation.

“Contrary to what we have been made to believe, being in the opposition is not synonymous with opposing every policy and programme the government is implementing as doing so beats the entire purpose of politics – service to society.

“The key role of the opposition is to ensure that the ruling government does not act in violation of the interests of the nation,” he said.

Mr. Moono explained that the greatest weakness acting against UPND on the political scene has been failure to hold a party convention, with the party leaders citing that it was comfortable with the current leadership.

Mr. Moono stressed that democracy has to start from within the party, adding that this promotes openness of discourse and shows its possibility of showing such traits in government.

“Any opposition has potential to form government. However there seem to be an obsession with being in power among its leaders.

“The fact that blinds them is the fact that the aim of governance is not power, but what you do with power,” he said.