ANY GOVERNMENT WORTH ITS SALT MUST PUT ITS CITIZENS FIRST” – OPP

Organized People’s Party (OPP) President Eng. Dr. Brian Mushimba has declared that any government worth its salt must prioritize the welfare of its citizens, saying economic policies must be judged by how ordinary Zambians live, not just by investor reports. Dr. Mushimba said government’s primary responsibility is to protect and improve the lives of the […]

Organized People’s Party (OPP) President Eng. Dr. Brian Mushimba has declared that any government worth its salt must prioritize the welfare of its citizens, saying economic policies must be judged by how ordinary Zambians live, not just by investor reports.

Dr. Mushimba said government’s primary responsibility is to protect and improve the lives of the people especially the poor and vulnerable.

He expressed concern that the current administration appears to have placed greater emphasis on “restoring investor confidence” and debt restructuring than on delivering immediate relief to households.

“The concern many Zambians have today is that this Government has placed greater emphasis on restoring investor confidence and implementing debt restructuring than on delivering immediate relief to families struggling with the rising cost of living, unemployment, and declining purchasing power,”he said.

The OPP leader said investment incentives and tax concessions must produce measurable benefits for the country.

“Government should always ensure that investment incentives produce benefits for Zambia and her people through employment, value addition, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and increased local participation,” he stated.

He added: “Investors should only succeed because Zambia succeeds, not while ordinary Zambians continue to struggle like the case is today.”

Dr. Mushimba said economic success must be measured by the lived experience of citizens, not only by international reports.

“A nation is not judged by how comfortable and profitable investors are alone but by how its people live,” he said.

The OPP President said his party’s commitment is simple: a government that puts Zambia first must always put Zambians first.

Dr. Mushimba alias Mr 4 million jobs, urged voters to support him and OPP in the August 13 polls for a “change of direction.”

Francis Chipalo