NANCY SIAME, Lusaka
UNITED Party National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has welcomed the reduction in the pump price of fuel but that it is insignificant.
Mr Hichilema said high fuel prices are driving up food and transport costs for Zambians across the country and making it hard for local businesses to grow, flourish and create much-needed jobs.
The UPND leader said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that it was wrong for Government to remove fuel and mealie-meal subsidies without any mitigation policies.
“This caused unnecessary hardship in our country,” Mr Hichilema said.
He said the reduction in the pump price of fuel should not merely be for political expediency, but should be part of a well-coordinated and bigger plan to address the weaknesses in the country’s economy.
“We are aware that the prices of crude oil on the international market have significantly been reduced by almost 35 percent. This means the fuel prices could have been lowered further so as to significantly bring the cost of living and doing business down,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said UPND stands on the platform of better management of the economy through reductions in fuel and food prices and better utilisation of natural resources.
He said if elected into office, UPND will take some short-term measures to reduce the cost of living and the pump price of fuel.
Mr Hichilema also said UPND will at the same time take action that will lead to bigger price reductions in the long-term that will keep prices down.
“We have always said investing in agriculture is the best way to bring down food prices, investing in education to equip our youths with the skills and training they need to help grow our economy, and creating a more business-friendly environment which will lead to accelerated economic growth and job creation,” he said.