President Hakainde Hichilema, has called on the church to work with the government and help address the many challenges that the country is currently facing such as the high cost of living among others.

President Hichilema says the government is doing everything possible to ensure that issues such as the high cost of living and advancing the fight against corruption are addressed in the shortest possible time but that there is need for the church to be part of the journey.

President Hichilema said the church should also continue preaching the word of love and peace and not promoting hate speech which he said has potential to divide the country.

The Head of State said this today when he met the clergy from all the 10 districts of the Copperbelt Province held at the Oasis of Love Ministries Church in Kitwe.

“I want to urge you to work with this government to address the things that stand in our way, and by working together, we shall overcome,” He said.

President Hichilema further commended clergy on the Copperbelt for promoting peace and unity urging them not to preach hatred.

Speaking at the same event, Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, thanked the church for its role of supporting the government by offering advances and solutions to the many challenges the country has been faced with.

Earlier, Kitwe Pastors Fellowship Chairperson, Bishop Raddy Lewila said the church in Kitwe supports President Hakainde Hichilema’s efforts to revive the economy and develop the country.

Bishop Lewila praised President Hichilema for the progressive and positive achievements scored in his two years and nine months of his rule citing the successful debt restructuring process, the introduction of free education, the re-introduction of the student’s meal allowances and massive employment of teachers and health workers among several others.

“We support your fight against corruption but we suggest that it should not end at asset recovery but extend to custodial sentences for those that are convicted so that it will be a deterrent to others,” He said.  

And Bishop Lewila appealed to President Hichilema to introduce subsidies on mealie-meal in view of the poor maize yield and the high cost of living

President Hichilema has wound up his two day working visit on the Copperbelt.

Earlier today President Hichilema officially opened the Copperbelt Agriculture Mining Industry Networking Enterprise (CAMINEX).