Thu, 22 Feb 2018 08:38:29 +0000
By VIOLET TEMBO
I WILL not waste time politicking but ensure that PF delivers on its campaign promises, Copperbelt Minister, Japhen Mwakalombe, has said.
Speaking when he addressed PF provincial and district party officials who welcomed him at Cabinet Office in Ndola yesterday, Mr. Mwakalombe pledged to work with the party structures.
Mr. Mwakalombe, who recently was swapped in a Cabinet reshuffle with his counterpart, Bowman Lusambo, said the ruling party was voted into power on the premise of the party manifesto which had culminated into the Seventh National Development Plan (SNDP).
He pledged to ensure that Government delivered to the Copperbelt residents in line with the developmental plan of the country.
Mr Mwakalombe said he would deliver development to the people whether they voted for the ruling party or not.
“I want to assure Copperbelt residents that I will not spend time politicking but ensure I bring development to their door step. Those that want to engage me on the political field are wasting their time. People of Zambia decided and it is time to deliver.
“I also want to assure the party in the province that I will work with them to ensure that what we promised people during the campaign period is delivered. I believe the party was elected into office because of its manifesto which is a social contract with the Zambian electorate.
“I will also conduct a tour of the mines as well as monitor and evaluate various government projects to ensure that no resources are wasted and that quality works are delivered by those contracted to do the job.
“I will ensure that we bring development to the province which will address the various challenges communities are facing,” he stressed.
Mr. Mwakalombe said he would take stock of the various government developmental projects and ensure that communities received their share.
He however warned that he would not allow contractors from outside the province or the country to take up opportunities meant for Copperbelt residents.
Meanwhile Mr. Mwakalombe pledged to partner with the media which he said was critical in attracting foreign and direct investments through dissemination of information as the world had become a global village.
He pointed out that the media was instrumental in building the country’s image to the outside world as a haven of peace.
And in his welcoming remarks, Copperbelt Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe, urged the media and government workers to work with Mr Mwakalombe saying the province would only attain meaningful development if there was unity of purpose among critical institutions.
Copperbelt PF chairperson Stephen Kainga pledged to work with the Minister’s office to ensure that development was delivered in the 10 districts.
