WE’LL WORK WITH CHURCH -HH
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says his Government will continue to collaborate and work with the Church to foster social-economic development.
The Head of State was speaking when he joined other Zambians for a Thanks Giving service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross yesterday.
He said the new dawn government has realigned some ministries in order to serve the people better adding that his administration has not removed the function of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance but only removed the ministry.
President Hichilema said the government will always allow the church to operate freely because it’s a very important partner in development.
He said the three mother church bodies have helped the country many times during hard times and also called on the church to continue providing checks and balances to government.
The President also said Zambia should always value and cherish the prevailing peace.
He pleaded with the Church to agree with Government decision to remove the ministry.
He said the country has all the reason to be thankful to God for the peace and harmony the country is enjoying adding that other nations including some neighboring countries have not been luck like Zambia.
“I know no country on earth that can achieve social and economic development amidst instability and war,” said.
President Hichilema said without peace, no country can achieve social and economic development, but was also quick to mention that the absence of physical violence does not guaranty peace because peace is not absence of war.
“When citizens go to bed on an empty stomach, when children are not in school, and those who have completed school have no jobs, to me it’s a clear indication that as a country we are not fully free,” he said.
He said his government will ensure that no Zambian goes to bed on an empty stomach.
The Head of State said the peace the country is enjoying should be considered a corner stone upon which to build to achieve national development in a broader and inclusive manner.
He said no Zambian or region can claim success if other regions feel excluded.
He said it’s time for every Zambian to participate in the drive towards national development.
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
