Government has with immediate effect suspended the recently announced revised road user fees by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).

Chief Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa explains that this is in view of governments declaration of the drought as a national disaster and emergency and subsequent implementation of the drought response plan.

Mr Mweetwa says government is aware that as citizens are faced with a mileage of social-economic challenges, this is not the right time to hike road user fees by RTSA.

Mr Mweetwa, who is also Minister of Information and Media,  announced the development in Livingstone during a media interaction session with the Livingstone based media. 

“ The UPND Government is a listening government and the concerns of the Zambian citizens are of paramount importance, “ he said. 

On the drought situation,  Mr. Mweetwa said so far,  85.5 percent of the districts that where affected have received relief maize.

Out of the 85 affected districts, 71 districts are already benefiting from the relief maize program. 

Meanwhile, the new dawn government has urged citizens to cherish the peace that the country has been enjoying for a long time now.

Mr. Mweetwa  said it is the responsibility of all citizens to promote, safeguard, uphold unity and  promote peace at all times.

He maintained that messages of hate and division in the country should not be entertained but that citizens must continue to live under the motto of one Zambia, One nation.