There is economic crisis in Zambia – CSPR

CSPR Eastern Province Coordinator Maxson Nkhoma

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) in Eastern Province says there is an economic crisis which Government has not officially declared to Zambians going by the move by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda to increase fines and fees from 20 ngwee to 30 ngwee.

CSPR Eastern Province Coordinator Maxson Nkhoma says has expressed concern over the gloomy economic outlook for the country and its negative effects on development and poverty reduction.

Mr Nkhoma states that recent happenings in the economy such as the increase in load shedding, the increase in fuel pump prices and fines and fees among others call for the President to address the nation on what economic policy measures the government is undertaking to address such issues in the immediate term.

Mr. Nkhoma states that while his organization appreciates the personal effort and interest exhibited by President Edgar Lungu to conduct an assessment of the water levels at lake Kariba, there is an urgent need for the Head of State to address the nation on the negative economic outlook caused by the high exchange rate of the Kwacha against major covetable currencies such as the US Dollar which has resulted in increased prices for fuel and consequently leading to high transportation fares.

He notes that the current economic outlook does not reflect the pro-poor policies the Patriotic Front promised Zambians hence the need for the government to redeem its self by pursuing policies that encourage economic prosperity and growth.