By SYLVESTER MWALE –
A YOUTH from Nyimba District in Eastern Province has sued the Government for increasing the retirement age from 55 years to 65 arguing that the adjustment does not offer any hope for the young people.
Evaristo Phiri of Mtilizi Resettlement Scheme has also asked the High Court to order the Ministry of Finance to offer him his share of the national wealth before he renounces his citizenship.
Mr Phiri has sued the Ministry of Finance and Attorney General as first and second defendants for allegedly failing to share the national cake equally.
He also wants the court to order the Government to declare Zambia’s wealth and its ratio to the total population.
According to the statement of claims filed in the Lusaka High Court during the week, Mr Phiri said the upward adjustment of retirement age did not give hope for the youths to find better pensionable jobs.
He said the situation only showed demographic situation towards older generation and promote rapid social economic growth of older people at the expense of the youths.
Mr Phiri is apparently one of the youths that lobbied to Government and cooperating partners to recognise the young people as partners in national development between 2000 and 2006.
He also took part in the review of the national youth policy and spoke strongly for inclusion of the young people in all places of decision-making at district, provincial and national level.
But Mr Phiri claimed that he had not benefited from youth funds as well as citizens empowerment funds because the Government had failed to provide clear guidelines and criteria towards public funds meant for youths.
“The 1st and 2nd defenders have failed to distribute the national wealth equitably to all the citizens of Zambia,” he said.
“Instead it’s only enjoyed by the political party in power and citizens employed in the public\civil service who are the only ones with a hope for their future with a stable monthly salary, pension security and access to better loans hence enjoying the National cake.”
Mr Phiri claimed that the Government had failed to provide constitutional guarantee which promote inclusiveness, fairness and justice to every citizen of Zambia.
“As a result, there is no hope for my future and lack of constitutional right to gather or demonstrate to express oneself guaranteed by the freedom of speech and assembly where at times without protection,” he said.