Gov’t, Catholics still have room for dialogue – HH

By GIDEON NYENDWA

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has announced that there is still room for dialogue between the UPND government and the Catholic Church whose relations have over the past few years has been soured over issues affecting the nation.
Speaking when paid the courtesy call the chiefs during the official commission of the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) Kasanjiku mini hydro power plant in Mwinilunga, Mr Hichilema said divergent views were healthy in a democracy but that there should be consensus points in all the challenges.
Reacting to the Pastoral Letter by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), President Hichilema revealed that Catholics were against the delimitation of some Constituencies, districts and some provinces in the country.
“This is non-contentious issue that and there has been progress that has been made in addressing this issue. The Catholics are saying there is no time but there is time and will reach consensus on this issue,” President Hichilema said.
He said cutting some Constituencies into two would make the delivery of services to the people easier.
Mr Hichilema also said the UPND was working had to address the issues that were affecting the country but the only problem that was holding the progress was the drought.
He said a lot of investment was made in the energy sector and without the drought, the country would not have had load shedding.
Mr Hichilema said government was delivering farming inputs on time so that farmers could grow enough food.
And speaking on behalf of the chiefs, North Western Committee of Chiefs chairperson, Chief Mumena called on Mr Hichilema to consider cutting Mwinilunga into two so that it could be easy to deliver health services to the people.
Chief Mumena said the vastness of the Mwinilunga district was making service delivery for the Members of Parliament difficult.
He said President should consider cutting North Western into two provinces to improve on service delivery.
Chief Mumena thanked the president for farming inputs that were delivered to the chiefs on time since the presidential directive was made.
He also said the Expanded Constituency Development Fund was doing wonders in various Chiefdoms coupled with the reintroduction of free education.
Chief Mumena spoke on behalf of Chief Musele, senior chief Sailunga and Chief Ntambo.