|
As an
antipoverty advocacy Network of over 130 civil society organisations from
different parts of the country, whose vision is ‘A Zambia in which all its
citizens enjoy all basic needs’, we urge the electorate and those desiring
to be elected, to keep in mind the following 6 critical issues as we vote in
a new Government;
1.
All
Zambians must ensure that their decisions are driven by the need to have
uncompromised people driven and centred development in Zambia.
2.
People
centred development requires that any party that forms the next government
should not politicise but expedite the implementation process of
decentralization policy and the decentralisation implementation plan.
3.
Voters
should pay particular attention to the position of Councillors and Members
of Parliament, as these will be handling the responsibilities of local
development for the next five years. Inappropriate leaders could fail to
yield the intended goals of decentralization and development at the lower
levels.
4.
The next
government should continue to appreciate the critical role of civil society
in pro-poor development and to this effect recognise the efforts made and
input of non state actors in the formulation of a long term plan, the Fifth
National Development Plan (FNDP) for Zambia which is a viable vehicle for
the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. This should not be
thrown out, but strengthened and implemented for the benefit of the
population and the millions of people that live in unacceptable conditions.
5.
Zambians
have, over the years, gained a positive reputation in fiscal discipline.
Continuity in this regard is essential, especially the prudent utilisation
of public resources.
6.
We call on
the next Government to ensure the institutionalization of civil society
participation in pro-poor policy processes.
Theresa Chewe
Vice
Chairperson – CSPR Board of Directors
Download Entire
Press Release [PDF]
|
