ZEC cautions govt on debt management

Bishop Alick Banda

The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has cautioned the PF government that debt must be kept within sustainable limits.

And ZEC has called for Government’s attention to Statutory Instrument No. 103 of 2013, which revoked the exemptions on duty for imported vehicles and other essential items extended to Public Benefit Organizations.

Speaking when the Catholic Bishops met President Edgar Lungu today, ZEC Representative Bishop Alick Banda says the Church has also noted that it is inevitable that Zambia will have to resort to borrowing on the open market in order to execute the country’s ambitious programme of infrastructure development.

Bishop Banda has however commended the PF government for the remarkable achievements made towards the uplifting of the welfare of the people despite the mounting challenges the country faces.

Bishop Banda says despite the many challenges the PF government faces, there are good things happening in the country and the Church commends them for the achievements made in advancing the welfare of the Zambian people and their dignity.

He says the church has recognized in particular, the road, health and educational infrastructure development programs and the resolve of the PF Government to entrench the national motto of “One Zambia, One Nation.”

He has assured President Lungu that as leaders of the Catholic Church in Zambia, the Bishops will continue to promote mutual understanding and forge cordial relations between the Church and the State.

And Bishop Banda has also assured President Lungu that as a well-structured organization, the Catholic Church has taken steps to prevent any possible abuse of the exemptions previously provided for under the law before the Statutory Instrument No. 103 of 2013 was issued.

The Bishops have also praised President Lungu for his active dialogue with traditional rulers and called on him to extend the same to other stakeholders.

The Catholic Bishops have since called on the President to ensure increased funding to health and education sectors and for greater investment in renewable energy.

Speaking at the same meeting, President Lungu assured the Bishops that his administration respects the role the Church plays in nation building, and pledged that he will continue to ensure that there is a health relationship between the Church and State.

President Lungu has urged the Church to help forestall unnecessary tribal and regional sentiment that seemed to a preoccupation of some people.

The ZEC delegation was led by Archbishop Ignatius Chama, whilst the President was accompanied by his special assistants: Lukangaba Sukwana for Legal Affairs, Amos Chanda Press &Public Relations, and State House Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Chilubanama.

This is contained in a statement made available to QFM News by President Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda.