• Government must swiftly set out it’s legislative reform agenda and begin the legislative process of priority reform.
• Slow pace of implementation of key reforms has potential to affect the execution of the 8th National Development Plan.
• Strong democracy and government system are the most effective risk insurance against misuse of public funds

German Ambassador to Zambia has encouraged government to swiftly set out it’s legislative reform agenda and begin the legislative process of priority reforms.
Speaking at the 8th National Development Plan Validation meeting, Anne Wagner-Mitchel stated that the slow pace of implementation of key reforms has potential to affect the execution of the Plan.
Ms. Wagner said transparency and accountability through strengthened oversight, citizen participation and zero tolerance on any reforms of corruption is key in ensuring that public resources are put to good use.
She added that strong democracy and government system are the most effective risk insurance against misuse of public funds.
“Such implementation challenges will require continued political will, improved accountability and transparency and reforming the civil service including it’s mindset to implement government policies and service delivery,” she said.
Officiating at the event, Acting Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said progress made so far is insufficient to enable the country attain the status of middle income by the year 2030.
Mr. Kangwa revealed that this is because nearly half of Zambians are still facing deprivation in accessing basic needs that Intel a decent standard of living access to education, health services and other essential such as access to electricity and water.
“To accelerate efforts towards achieving the broad goals of the vision, there is need to implement wide-ranging reforms and interventions that will build on the achievements of the previous plans and define a different way of doing things in order to build better, “he said
Mr. Kangwa added that there is need to address the development constraints that have continued to hamper efforts in uplifting the wellbeing of people.
“This will require enhanced collaboration among all key stakeholders, government, the private sector, civil society organizations, cooperating and development partners and other interest groups. We all have a part to play in respect to the development prospects of the youth of this country, who comprise the majority of the country’s population,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) Proudly Zambian Campaign Coordinator Lewis Chimfwembe stated that unfair competition posed by imported products among many other challenges is hindering the progress of the manufacturing sector, hence the need to align the 8NDP targets to the sector.