JCTR backs Govt on debt relief

GOVERNMENT has made a commitment towards settling the external debt through the launch of the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) which is a game changer, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection ( JCTR) has said.

JCTR programme manager, Innocent Ndashe, said the ERP was a game-changer in helping the country settle its debt.

He said this is because the ERP was aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency in the management of public resources that include debt.

Mr. Ndashe said in an interview that the ERP was a clear practical plan on how the government would make a payment towards the debt.

He said JCTR had embarked on a campaign against debt relief through calling on the creditors to understand that the debt has had a negative impact on the lives of Zambians that depended on government to access services in health, education, water, and sanitation.

Mr Ndashe said JCTR had been mobilising stakeholders to appreciate the challenges Government was facing in paying off the debt in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As stakeholders, we need to amplify the government’s voice as it continues to lobby for debt relief. Creditors should understand that debt is impacting on the lives of the people,” he said.

He said at this point, it was vital that the government was supported in its request to lobby for debt relief to reserve some resources to respond to challenges in health, education, water, and sanitation.

“We have had successful meetings with the Ministry of National Development and Planning just to appreciate the challenges being faced and how they are committed to enhancing accountability and transparency in the use of public resources.

“Creditors need to have this feeling that the debt has had a negative impact on the lives of ordinary citizens that depend on the government to access services such as health education, water, and sanitation among others,” Mr Ndashe said.