By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –
BUS and taxi drivers on the Copperbelt have rallied behind President Edgar Lungu for his good leadership which they say is centered on uplifting the welfare of ordinary citizens.
The drivers yesterday conducted a solidarity march from Kitwe Main Bus (KMB) station in the second class trading area to the central business district in town before assembling at the city square.
Transport and Communications Minister Kapembwa Simbao, Copperbelt Deputy Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga, Kitwe District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe and Kitwe Mayor Kelvin Sinyangwe participated in the  solidarity procession for President Lungu in support of his sound policies that are impacting positively on their welfare.
Bus and Taxi Drivers Association representative, Charles Sichilima who spoke on behalf of his colleagues said they were happy with President Lungu for his good gesture to revoke the law that imposed presumptive tax on bus and taxi operators.
The presumptive tax is a tax imposed on an informal sector like transport and when it was introduced, bus operators were meant to pay tax of between K1,600 and K19,700 per month at ZRA offices.
Mr Sichilima said the drivers were pleased with President Lungu for his fatherly heart which had seen him making decisions aimed at uplifting the general citizenry.
The drivers were particularly happy that the Head of State listened to their cry over the presumptive tax on bus and taxi operators.
Mr Simbao who graced the occasion described the procession as unprecedented in the sense that for once, a certain section of the community were beginning to appreciate the services of President Lungu.
The minister said President Lungu had demonstrated a rare and unique style of leadership looking at the manner the he was accommodating everyone including people who had not been so close with before.
He said since the Head of State ascended to the presidency he had shown  commitment to improve the living standards of ordinary Zambians.
“This is why the President has been worried about the economic situation and has been taking steps to normalise the situation,” he said.
Mr Simbao cited the economic measures such as efforts to bring down and stabilise the forex exchange rate as well as the revoking of the law on presumptive tax on bus and taxi operators as some of the practical examples of President Lungu’s commitment to uplift the living standards of ordinary citizens.