President Hakainde Hichilema has officially opened the fourth session of the thirteenth national Assembly with a pledge to continue resuscitating the economy despite the impact of drought.
And Mr Hichilema has reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue fighting corruption to recover the stolen assets
Speaking during the official opening of the fourth session of the thirteenth national Assembly today, Mr Hichilema said that the Government has recorded significant growth at macro level due to multiple measures put in place to navigate through the adverse effects of climate change.
ZANIS reports that President Hichilema explained that the Government has started restructuring and improving the economy following reaching an agreement with official Creditors and Euro bond holders among others, and that will help to foster the country’s economic growth.
“ Let me put it on record that our Government has posted some economic gains to the Gross Domestic Product despite the severe drought crisis the country has been faced with, it is pleasing that we have Started servicing debt,” he said.
The President also disclosed that the mining sector has continued to remain Zambia’s mainstay of the economy, hence the resolve by the Government to sort out outstanding issues which surrounded Mopani and KCM.
He added that due to his Government’s commitment and progressive policies Mopani copper mine is back with investment capital of US$1.1 billion dollars while KCM is also back with $1.2 billion working capital and that so far suppliers have been paid resulting in liquidity in the country.
Mr Hichilema further indicated that Shaft 28 by China Nonferrous in Luanshya is back with US$500 million investment and that after the dewatering process more jobs will be created for the people of Luanshya and the Copperbelt at large.
He said all the significant investment and revival of the mines and all the achievements are coming at a critical moment of severe drought crisis.
He observed that with the Mines rebounding, the country’s projected production of three million tonnes by 2031 will no doubt be actualised to further grow the Zambian economy significantly.
“ So all these progressive policies taking place in the mining sector with the coming back of giant Mines such as Mopani, KCM, Shaft 28 Mine, Mimbula and the $2 billion Mingomba in Chililabombwe among others have helped, and will continue to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema has pledged Government’s continued commitment to stamp out post and future corruption regardless of one’s political affiliation and that to this effect over US$30.8 million dollars has been forfeited to the state.
He stressed that the fight against corruption has gathered speed and that more arrests will be made to ensure that stolen resources benefit the citizens.
“We are determined to eradicate all forms of corruption and remain firmly committed to the zero-tolerance policy against corruption,” said President Hichilema.
The Head of State has since called on Zambians to report corruption cases without fear because the Government will be there to protect whistleblowers.
Mr Hichilema also reiterated the need for reforms in the constitution to remove lacunas and uphold the rule of law without segregation
He explained that the constitution remains an important document for the identity of Zambians as a people hence the need for it to undergo reforms for it to reflect the aspirations of the Citizens.
