Media implored to sensitize the public on subsidy removal

Media implored to sensitize the public on subsidy removal

Livingstone, May 24, ZANIS ——-Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting Poniso Njeulu has implored the media in the country to help the government to sensitize the people on the benefits that will accrue following the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel.

And Mr Njeulu said the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to be operational soon will help to speed up issuance of radio operating licenses.

He said this during his tour of Falls FM radio after acting Station Manager Mr. Matimba Mwamba told him that the radio was only granted a license last year after a long delay.

“Iam pretty sure that once the IBA is signed all these issues of delays in issuance of license will be a thing of the past,” said Mr Njeulu.

Speaking during a courtesy call on Livingstone District Commissioner today, Mr Njeulu noted that the decision by the government to remove the subsidies was not meant to punish or make people suffer but was done in good faith to enable government save money for developmental programmes.

He said the media should play an active role in educating people on the importance of the move by the government to realize more revenue for development across the country.

“The removal of the subsidies was not meant to make people suffer or punish them but it was meant to enable government realize more revenue for development purposes,” said Mr Njeulu.

Mr Njeulu who is also United Party for National Development (UPND) Sinjembela Member of Parliament said his area has no roads, water and expressed hope that the money saved from the removal of subsidies will help to develop his area.

The Deputy Minister who toured all the media houses in Livingstone also said challenges faced by ZANIS in the province such as inadequate equipment, shortage of manpower and transport would be addressed soon in order to motivate the staff.

He also said he would follow up to find out why it had taken so long for all ZANIS staff to be restructured in the provinces.

Mr Njeulu said it was the desire of government to see to it that media houses operated under a condusive environment in order to effectively inform and educate the public on numerous issues concerning their welfare.

And Livingstone District Commissioner Omar Munsanje noted that there were few people who were trying to bring confusion in the country over the issue of the removal of subsidies.

 “There are only a few people who are trying to bring confusion when they know that subsidies are detrimental to the development of the country,” Mr Munsanje said.

He also noted that most people do not know the negative effects of subsidies adding that the media had a role to play to inform people about the benefits of removing the subsidies.