Nawakwi Denounces Govt Over Subsidies, By-Elections

FDD leader Edith Nawakwi says the approach used by the government in removing subsidies on fuel and maize is inhuman and lacks compassion.
“The approach removal of fuel and maize subsidies lacks compassion; the approach lacks objectivity; it is an approach where there is no humanity in it. If you want to target the mining houses, then plan for them. They will come back to you and say: ‘we are laying off your people’. They will not say to the government that ‘it is because of the fuel prices’,” Nawakwi said when she featured on 5 FM Radio’s Burning Issue programme yesterday.
She claimed that the government removed fuel and maize consumption subsidies to cover up its huge expenditures accrued from unbudgeted by-elections.
“I suspect that the budget implementation has failed. And they want to be able to cover up the huge hole which has been created through our expenditures on very visible items, such as unbudgeted for by-elections,” Nawakwi said. “People have been complaining about the constitution-making process that there was no budget. All these they have now realised they need monies; that’s why they have come to the softest part; remove subsidies. Actually they have just added tax on fuel.”
Nawakwi said Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)’s proposal to lay-off 2,000 jobs was a result of the removal of fuel subsidies.
“This is going to increase cost on mines because it is mid-stream through the financial year and the impact you are beginning to see at KCM. May go to other mines if the Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda does not step in to discuss with them,” Nawakwi said. “It is not so much of a labour issue, it is an economic issue. The minister needs to go to KCM, understand their production profile and see how best they can manage it because an extra cost has been introduced mid-stream.”
And Nawakwi said the continuous by-elections were nothing but a sinister motive by the government to amass two-thirds majority in Parliament.
She said Zambians were fatigued over by-elections being held in the country.
“People have read behind these by-elections and know what the government wants to do when the constitution goes to the House, which they said 90 days. If they have two-thirds, obviously you know what happens. That could be the only intent that the by-elections are being carried out,” Nawakwi said.
She blamed the government for spending colossal sums of money through unnecessary by-elections.