Imenda says UPND has delivered 90 percent of campaign promises United Party for National Development (UPND) deputy secretary-general Gertrude Imenda says President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration has delivered about 90 percent of the promises it made to Zambians ahead of taking office. Lusaka, 30 July – Ms Imenda has rejected claims by some opposition political parties […]

Imenda says UPND has delivered 90 percent of campaign promises

United Party for National Development (UPND) deputy secretary-general Gertrude Imenda says President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration has delivered about 90 percent of the promises it made to Zambians ahead of taking office.

Lusaka, 30 July – Ms Imenda has rejected claims by some opposition political parties that the UPND government has failed to deliver during its first term, arguing that its performance should be assessed over its full five-year mandate.

Speaking in an interview, Ms Imenda said the Government had fulfilled the majority of its campaign commitments despite facing economic and other challenges after assuming office.

She accused opposition parties of focusing largely on difficulties encountered during the administration’s early months while overlooking what she described as significant progress made since then.

“Our score is 90 percent of what we promised. If somebody writes an exam and scores 90 percent, would you say they have failed because they missed 10 percent? No. That is actually a distinction,” Ms Imenda said.

She cited the introduction of free education, increased agricultural production, reduced fertiliser prices and improvements in electricity supply as among the administration’s key achievements.

Ms Imenda attributed lower fertiliser prices to Government’s efforts to promote local production and reduce Zambia’s dependence on imported agricultural inputs.

“We have managed to reduce fertiliser prices because we invested in local fertiliser production instead of relying on imports,” she said.

She also defended the Government’s policy of maintaining strategic food and financial reserves, saying the measures were necessary to strengthen Zambia’s ability to respond to future economic and climate-related shocks.

Responding to criticism that the Government was building reserves at a time when some households were struggling with the cost of living, Ms Imenda said social protection programmes had continued to provide support to vulnerable people.

She also argued that broader economic conditions needed to be considered when comparing the price of mealie meal under different administrations.

According to Ms Imenda, increases in mealie meal prices during the UPND’s time in office had been proportionately lower than those recorded under the previous Patriotic Front administration.

She further argued that proposals by opposition parties to improve education and other sectors were an acknowledgement that some policies introduced under President Hichilema had produced positive results.

Ms Imenda urged Zambians to assess the UPND administration on its overall record at the completion of its first five-year term, rather than judging it solely on challenges experienced during its early period in government.

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