Govt must deal with fundamental issues to get econ...

Govt must deal with fundamental issues to get economy in shape

**NDWG head of political affairs, Dr. Wurayayi Zembe**

Zim Now Writer

The National Democratic Working Group has implored government not to waste another opportunity to tackle the fundamental issues to bring the economy back on track, a statement by the movement says.

This comes as Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mushayavanhu is due to present his Monetary Policy Statement this morning, which is aimed at taming the runaway inflation, currency volatility as well as price stability in the economy.

In a statement, the NDWG said the fundamentals include creating fertile ground for foreign investment and taking a firm stand against corruption among others.

“These fundamentals include creating fertile ground for foreign investment, savings, production, and a return to the global economy where the country can access loans, grants, debt cancellation, etc. … respect for human rights, protection of property rights, inclusive non-racialised and non-politicised access to opportunities.

“These fundamentals also include taking a genuine stand against corruption, against protection of criminals, against rewarding of criminals, and against turning a blind eye to racketeering. For as long as our country is perceived as being engulfed in criminality … smuggling precious minerals out of the country and for corruption, our economy will continue to struggle,” Dr Wurayayi Zembe, NDWG head of political affairs said in the statement.

Dr Zembe added that the introduction of a new currency should have been a result of a consultative process.

“The National Democratic Working Group demands that issues such as the introduction of new currency that have such a significant impact on commerce, trade and industry as well as a direct consequence on the general mass must come through a well defined, well funded and structured consultative process. It is unacceptable and draconian that a whole new currency can be imposed upon a sovereign people without their input, without notice, without debate and without their approval,” he said.

Dr Zembe added that from the days of bearer cheques to this day, Zimbabweans must now come to a realisation that we must first attend to issues to do with production, savings, supply and demand, imports and exports to ensure that the country’s economy economy returns to normal.

Facilitated and chaired by former Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala, the NDWG is a movement which emerged about a month ago, which is aimed at returning key decision-making that affects the country’s path to its citizens and has already begun consultations that will culminate in a national democratic people’s consultative convention for the way forward and resolutions.