Be bold, make radical decisions on growth, govt implored

THE Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) has urged the new dawn administration not shy away from making radical decisions if they were in the best interest of citizens.

CDP president Robert Mwanza has said the governing party should avoid making decisions based on political appeasement because such attitudes would not stimulate economic growth.

He said in an interview that the UPND administration was given a huge mandate to preside over the affairs of the country and should therefore strive to do the best for citizens without shying away from making painful but right decisions. He said politics of appeasement should be avoided because the country needed a leadership that would give hope to citizens that things shall be improved through hard work.

Mr. Mwanza said it was his expectation that the UPND would continue to come up with policies that would help turn round the country’s economy for the benefit of all Zambians.

He stated that the policy pronouncement in the 2023 national budget were likely to foster development but charged that the re-introduction of meal allowances for university students was meant to please the students for their vote.

“We should not shy away from being radical when making decisions. Hard decision as they may be, they are for the good of the country. Difficult times demand that leaders should make hard and radical decisions.

“The re-introduction of meal allowances for university students was an appeasement. But for how long would it last. The meal allowances will not be sustained in an economy that needs repair,” Mr Mwanza said.

He said instead of giving meal allowances to students, the government should have come up with pronouncements on allocating funds to research and development in learning institutions.