Sat, 22 Jul 2017 10:29:54 +0000
By MUKOSELA KASALWE
GOVERNMENT through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) should strengthen efforts to protect consumers and their rights from exploitation by business entities, says Youth Aid chairperson Kachenga Chungu.
Mr Chungu urged the CCPC to work with other government wings to ensure that Zambians were not exploited now that the United States dollar has continued to be favourable to the local currency, a situation that has brought about positive economic impact and greater buying power.
He said it was unfortunate that the business sector was quick to adjust prices upwards whenever the dollar rose but were reluctant to reduce the cost of goods when it fell.
‘’The government and the CCPC should strengthen efforts to protect consumers and their rights from exploitation by business entities trading in Zambia.
‘‘The cost of living as well as that of doing business should significantly reduce because of the current economic growth and stability that the country has begun to enjoy,’’ he said.
Mr. Chungu said Government should consider reducing taxes on all levels to ensure maximum compliance as the current tax regimes were a burden to the Zambians.
He said the Minister of Finance, Mr Felix Mutati, should feel for the average Zambians and not create new means of taxing the people as that was likely to cause high levels of tax evasion.
Mr. Chungu said the taxes paid as excise duty or customs on certain articles such as cars were outrageous.
He urged Mr. Mutati to take keen interest in the way taxes were being revised and implemented.
