Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) president Andyford Banda says the Patriotic Front’s poor management of the country’s resources is to blame for the adverse impact of climate change on the country.
Mr. Banda has told Q-news that in as much there are natural factors that that are unavoidable, the bigger chunk of the problems being experienced in the country are as a result of poor management of the country’s resources.
He says the PF government has failed to demonstrate prudent management of the country’s resources; hence government cannot simply blame climate change entirely.
Mr Banda states that if government was prepared to curtail the effects of climate change, it would have for instance used the money used to buy the 42 fire trucks to empower farmers with boreholes to prepare them for the future.
And Development Analyst Charity Musamba has urged Finance Minister, Bwalya Nga’ndu to consider cutting unnecessary expenditure in the 2020 National Budget.
President Edgar Lungu during his state of national address hinted that the 2020 national budget will be seriously affected by austerity measures being implemented by government as the country meets its debt obligations among others.
But Ms. Musamba has told QTV news that the country’s obligation to pay debt must not negatively affect allocations to social sectors.
Dr. Musamba says the 2020 national budget should therefore prioritize the lives and dignity of the poor people.
Meanwhile Public Policy Institute of Zambia President Fabian Chewe has advised government to prioritize funding to the agriculture sector in order to enhance food security and subsequently reduce mealie meal prices.
Mr. Chewe has told Q-News in a telephone Interview that the 2020 National Budget should provide solutions to the current hunger situation in some parts of the country including the problem of Climate Change which he says is posing serious a threat to food security.
Mr. Chewe has noted that the Agriculture sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy through job creation especially in rural areas.
He has also proposed the need to invest in economic ventures that will help the country maximize revenue collection.