NCP Presidents Demands Bars to Open at 18:00 Hours

New Congress Party president Peter Chanda says government should impose compel bars to open at 18:00 hours instead of 10:00 hours.

Chanda has also suggested that the legal drinking age should be raised from 18 to 21 years old.

Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka, Pastor Chanda said embrace former Gender Minister Victoria Kalima’s suggestion that the minimum age for drinking should be upped from 18 to 21 years.

Chanda said it was wrong for bars in the country top open at 10:00 hours and suggested that the opening time be moved to 18:00 hours.

“When are we going to have people think of being productive? The laws are there, bars are not supposed to open at 10 hours. It is only in hotels where it is allowed, bars should open at 18 hours,” he said.

Chanda has urged the council to toughen its implemntaion of bar opening hours and under-age drinking.

He said that Zambians should desist from embracing the culture of drinking beer in the morning till the following day.

“The local authorities must employ more officers to build capacity to see to it that the under-age citizens do not patronise bars that is why it is wise to adjust underage drinking threshold to 21 years” Chanda said.

He said his party will make the youth more productive than spending time drinking beer.

Chanda said his party sought a more accommodating world for women.

“As NCP we are preparing people for economic progress, we will create stability and employment. If you are a woman out there, you are not a sexual object but an equal partner in development and progress,” he said.