Time is ripe to assess President Lungu’s performance- SACCORD

The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has observed that time is ripe to assess President Edgar Lungu now that he has clocked 90 days in office.

President Edgar Lungu

SACCORD is of the view that President Lungu’s already indicated intentions to run an open government as seen from weekly updates after cabinet meetings is a positive note to starting assessing his performance.

Executive Director Boniface Cheembe says this has helped in providing timely information to citizens on government decisions as well as programs.

Mr. Cheembe has told Qfm News in a statement that his organization’s hope is that in future there will also be updates on successes recorded out of those decisions so that people do not just have pronouncements without real action.

He states that SACCORD has also noted that President Lungu has been a little more open on his health following his public collapse during the International Women’s Day commemoration at Heroes stadium in March this year.

The SACCORD Executive Director however notes that his organization has sadly seen the backtracking on 2015 presidential election campaign promises by the Patriotic Front (PF) government.

Boniface Chembe

He has recalled that ruling PF with Mr. Lungu as candidate also promised to reduce youth unemployment, reduce poverty and pursue the fight against corruption.

Mr. Cheembe notes that it sadly appears that there is nothing positive that has so far been done by government in this line as youth unemployment, poverty and corruption are still at unacceptable levels.

He states that as Zambia moves towards the 2016 general elections, SACCORD expect the government to improve on poverty alleviation, create jobs especially for the youth and ensure that the constitution making process is concluded with a referendum as demanded by majority of Zambians.

Mr. Cheembe says his organization further expects the President and his government to unite the people and avoid derogatory statements against political opponents.