President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the church to preach the art of hard work in order for the country to develop.

ZANIS reports that speaking when he addressed congregants at Mindolo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kitwe today, President Hichilema said he wants to see the Copperbelt economy grow bigger than it was in the 1970s.

The Head of State also commended the church for promoting family values, which he said, will help to build morally strong families where children will grow into good citizens.

“We must preach the art of hard work in all aspects of life, my personal goal is to make the Copperbelt economy grow bigger than it was in the 1970’s then the church will also benefit,” He said.

President Hichilema further commended the church for the various works that it is carrying out in communities that also benefits the people.

And, in his homily message, Seventh-Day Adventist Church Copperbelt Province Conference President Pastor Webster Chabe challenged the government to promote unity and economic development. 

Pastor Chabe said the government needs to also address the hunger challenge and the high cost of living to prevent others from taking political mileage out of the situation.

The Clergyman, however, assured the government of support from the church.

“As leaders of the UPND, identify your challenges, and for you your giant enemy is in your party name which is ‘unity and national development’ so work hard to ensure unit and economic development but do not worry, come to us we pray together and we shall fight together and win the battle,” He said. 

Pastor Chabe further challenged government to ensure that they leave a good legacy through developmental works that benefit the country as at large such as upgrading of roads and other national developmental infrastructure.

He however, urged the people to commend the government when they do good things so as to motivate them.

Earlier, Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo appealed to the church to continue offering spiritual support to President Hichilema so that he can fulfil his vision for the country.

President Hichilema is on the Copperbelt on a working visit where he has so far commissioned the Chililabombwe- Kasumbalesa Road, launched the dewatering of Shaft 28 at Luanshya and commissioned the 60 megawatt Solar Plant for Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) among others.