Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) has charged that the impending increase in fuel prices and electricity tariffs by the UPND administration is a betrayal of the Zambian people who were promised an affordable cost of living.
ANDD Executive Director Samuel Banda says Zambians voted for the UPND based on their campaign promises of reducing the cost of basic commodities.
Mr Banda says it’s shocking that the UPND which whilst in opposition promised the Zambian people a reduction in cost of doing business, cost of living and improved living standards has u-turned with an ill motive to increase electricity tariffs and fuel pump prices, which will trigger an increase in the cost of doing business and production of goods and services.
He states this will definitely result in an increase in the prices of goods and services, consequently condemning more citizens to poverty and hardship.
Mr Banda explains that citizens involved in small businesses such as barbershops, saloons, bakery and metal fabrication to name a few, will be negatively affected as the cost of doing business will significantly go up leading to loss of revenue and jobs.
He notes that currently, the cost of electricity is still too high for the average household in the country to manage and wonders how they will cope once tariffs are hiked.