By Daily Revelation Reporter
Col Panji Kaunda says the UPND administration should listen to all, especially the critics during this difficult period the country has gotten into.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Col Panji said there was very little the UPND administration could do than to get the IMF deal, which will result in the removal of subsidies on electricity and fuel.
“Our government should listen to both sides, more so those that will oppose the measures we are going to take. If we agree then we agree and I am not adding any value. But the one who disagrees adds more value. Let’s see if we can adjust and listen to those who are offering criticism,” Col Panji said, adding that not all criticism is bad.
He said the country would go through a very difficult phase, and that President Hichilema should be commended for taking the most painful decision that can even cost his political life in order to right the ship.
“The economy is not as good as initially thought. To recover we have to go back to the HIPC days more or less. We have to bite the bullet,” Col Panji.
He said one of the ways that could help the country get through the difficult period would be to reorganize the agriculture sector, saying the FISP programmes might have initially be thought to have good intentions but it has now become like an albatross around people necks.
He urged that the country should go back to the Lima days as a way of liberalizing the market, saying people should be allowed to grow what they want and sell to whoever they wanted to sell to.
Col Panji said in this way the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will be a competitor in the market and not the main market.
