By Jackson Mapapayi
Vice President Inonge Wina says she is disappointed that the church in North western province has not accessed any fund from the Covid19 church empowerment fund.
The Vice President said the fund was meant to help the church overcome the challenges which as a result of the Covid19 pandemic.
“I am very disappointed to learn that no single church in North western province has accessed the empowerment fund,” said Ms Wina.
She was responding to a concern raised by the Pastor’s Fellowship in Solwezi during a meeting.
She promised to follow up the matter with the ministry of Guidance and Religious Affairs.
And Ms Wina has thanked the church for its continued support to government through various social and economic development programs.
She said President Edgar Lungu attaches great importance to the role of the church in community development and in the inculcation of values and principles that are a corner stone of peace and stability in the country.
“I therefore wnat to acknowledge the good relationship that exists between the church and government in fostering spiritual, social and economic needs of our people,” she said.
She said government has delivered unprecedented development particularly in the area of infrastructure countrywide adding that there is no prpvince that has been left behind.
She however mentioned that President Lungu is aware of the economic challenges the country is faced with which is as a result of the Covid19.
And speaking on behalf of other pastors, Rev Musonda Miselo of Rock of Hope appealed to government through the local authority to provide church plots.
He said most churches are operating from rented buildings adding that with the coming of Covid19, the church has suffered a great deal.
“And most of them have either closed or temporary close aas results of Covid19 because the buildings they worship from are shared. And we are hoping that this will be accelerated ,”he said.
He also said the church has in the strongest term condemned the politcal violence being exhibited by some political parties.
He said political leaders rise to the occussion and condemn violence being perpetrated.
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