PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says government is committed to continue upholding unity in the country in order to foster economic development.
Mr Hichilema observes that government can only deliver quality and equitable development throughout the country once unity is maintained.
Speaking during the Chabuka Baushi traditional ceremony of the Ushi people of Mansa district, Mr Hichilema assured that his administration will deliver equitable development to all parts of the country without segregation.
“We will do this in many sectors such as the education sector where we have provided free education to all children in Zambia and I want to appeal to all traditional leaders to ensure children go to school,” Mr Hichilema said.
And President Hichilema says government will support Luapula province to exploit the region’s great potential in fish farming, mining and agriculture, in order for the people in that region to claim their shared contribution to national development.
The Head of State disclosed that he has since tasked his Cabinet Ministers to explore the province for possible investments.
“I promised that I will send the ministers to share my vision of what Luapula can be and I am glad that the Cabinet Ministers are here to tour the province and they will do a report for your government to start investing in the province in all the areas of potential of development,” President Hichilema said.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State has since commended the Ushi people for preserving their cultural heritage, while assuring them that government is dedicated to supporting tourism sites in the region.
“Let me state here that unity of purpose is the catalyst for economic development, government will provide funding to the Chabuka Organising Committee to put up a permanent structure at the shrine so that posterity can be appreciated in future,” he said.
Mr Hichilema also disclosed that his administration has given out 600 licenses to Zambians to enable them venture into legal mining activities for them to create jobs.
“My administration is keen to roll out various developmental programmes through legal mining, aquaculture by exploiting Lake Bangweulu, Mweru and Mweru Wantipa among others,” President Hichilema said.
The President also disclosed that the government has provided funds in the 2025 Constituency Development Funds (CDF) budget for councils in the country to purchase fuel to grade feeder roads to promote smooth movement of goods and services.
Mr Hichilema has meanwhile called on the Opposition Members of Parliament and Councillors to put politics aside and work with government to develop the nation.
“This is not the time for politics but to work together as a team both government and the opposition to deliver quality development to people,” he said.
And Luapula Province Minister Njavwa Simutowe reiterated government’s commitment to continue rolling out developmental programmes to the area.
Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba praised President Hichilema for attending almost all traditional ceremonies in the country, a gesture he described as unifying the country.
He explained that his ministry will ensure that all tourism sites dotted across Luapula province are upgraded to attract tourists in the area.
Meanwhile Mansa Central Member of Parliament Chitalu Chilufya hailed President Hichilema for exemplary leadership.
The law marker thanked President Hichilema for the early delivery of farming inputs to Luapula province and for the increase in CDF.
He said the progressive policies of the UPND administration are transforming people’s lives.
Earlier, Chabuka Traditional Ceremony Organising Committee Treasurer, Kasongo Chimese thanked President Hichilema for accepting to grace the traditional ceremony.
He explained that President Hichilema has become the first President in the history of the country to officiate at the Chabuka ceremony.
“Mr President the Chabuka Royal Organising Committee is grateful to you for attending this ceremony which depicts how the ethnic groups crossed the Luapula river from the luba- lunda kingdom of Congo,” he said.
