Mr Banda said demonstrations could only plunge the country into chaos
and disturb the peace the country has been enjoying for the past years.
He said dialogue with all key stakeholders, including the opposition, could provide an answer to high prices of food.
I want to urge the people of Zambia to shun the planned demonstration
because such actions are a threat to the peace the country has been
enjoying. We should instead dialogue on the matter with all
stakeholders, including the opposition, Mr Banda said.
The President was speaking in Chongwe yesterday when he paid a courtesy
call on senior Chieftainess Mukamambo Three of the Soli people at her
palace.
He said government was doing everything possible to find solutions to the high prices of food the country was experiencing.
Mr Banda said his door was open for dialogue with the opposition and
other key stakeholders towards finding the solution to the problem.
He said Zambia could not be spared from the global economic crisis
which had resulted in job losses in the mining sector and rising food
prices.
I am ready to dialogue with the opposition and stakeholders because
this problem is not only in Zambia but globally, and going to the
streets over the matter will not help us to find ways and means of
responding to the problem at hand, President Banda said.
And Mr Banda has called for the doubling of food production in the country to address the high food prices.
Mr Banda said enhancing food production was the only answer to the high prices of food in the country.
He said his government would remain committed to ensuring that the
agriculture sector received all the necessary support to ensure food
security at household and national level.
With these high food prices affecting the entire World, we should be
able to grow more food, and with the support we are giving farmers
through the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP), we expect our farmers
to double their production, President Banda said.
Earlier, senior Chieftainess Mukamambo of the Soli people commended
government for the support being rendered to small scale farmers.
Chieftainess Mukamambo appealed to government to put in place measures aimed at mitigating the high food prices in the country.
The traditional leader opposed those calling for mass demonstrations against high food prices.
These challenges we are facing as a country need dialogue and not
demonstrations. We want the peace of this country to continue. I know
government has capacity to find solutions to these high food prices,
senior Chieftainess Mukamambo said.
She pledged to support President Banda during his tenure of office to ensure that he delivers to the people of Zambia.
Chieftainess Mukamambo said the Soli people were proud of President
Banda and that was the reason people in her chiefdom support him.
The traditional leader said the people of Zambia decided to elect President Banda because of his capacity to deliver to them.
I recall the last time you were here, I promised that my chiefdom will
support you. That was fulfilled and I am glad that you have visited us
today to meet the farmers, she said.
Demos over food prices not solution – RB
By KANGWA MULENGA
PRESIDENT Banda says demonstrations are not an answer to high prices of food the country is facing.
Mr Banda said demonstrations could only plunge the country into chaos
and disturb the peace the country has been enjoying for the past years.
He said dialogue with all key stakeholders, including the opposition, could provide an answer to high prices of food.
I want to urge the people of Zambia to shun the planned demonstration
because such actions are a threat to the peace the country has been
enjoying. We should instead dialogue on the matter with all
stakeholders, including the opposition, Mr Banda said.
The President was speaking in Chongwe yesterday when he paid a courtesy
call on senior Chieftainess Mukamambo Three of the Soli people at her
palace.
He said government was doing everything possible to find solutions to the high prices of food the country was experiencing.
Mr Banda said his door was open for dialogue with the opposition and
other key stakeholders towards finding the solution to the problem.
He said Zambia could not be spared from the global economic crisis
which had resulted in job losses in the mining sector and rising food
prices.
I am ready to dialogue with the opposition and stakeholders because
this problem is not only in Zambia but globally, and going to the
streets over the matter will not help us to find ways and means of
responding to the problem at hand, President Banda said.
And Mr Banda has called for the doubling of food production in the country to address the high food prices.
Mr Banda said enhancing food production was the only answer to the high prices of food in the country.
He said his government would remain committed to ensuring that the
agriculture sector received all the necessary support to ensure food
security at household and national level.
With these high food prices affecting the entire World, we should be
able to grow more food, and with the support we are giving farmers
through the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP), we expect our farmers
to double their production, President Banda said.
Earlier, senior Chieftainess Mukamambo of the Soli people commended
government for the support being rendered to small scale farmers.
Chieftainess Mukamambo appealed to government to put in place measures aimed at mitigating the high food prices in the country.
The traditional leader opposed those calling for mass demonstrations against high food prices.
These challenges we are facing as a country need dialogue and not
demonstrations. We want the peace of this country to continue. I know
government has capacity to find solutions to these high food prices,
senior Chieftainess Mukamambo said.
She pledged to support President Banda during his tenure of office to ensure that he delivers to the people of Zambia.
Chieftainess Mukamambo said the Soli people were proud of President
Banda and that was the reason people in her chiefdom support him.
The traditional leader said the people of Zambia decided to elect President Banda because of his capacity to deliver to them.
I recall the last time you were here, I promised that my chiefdom will
support you. That was fulfilled and I am glad that you have visited us
today to meet the farmers, she said.
By KANGWA MULENGA
Post published in: Uncategorized