LUSAKA – President Hakainde Hichilema has said he is looking forward to transforming Zambia into a responsible member of the league of nations after guiding the country to the champions league of well-governed nations.
He said this during his address at the opening of the 2nd Session of 13th National Assembly earlier on Friday, with the theme “Working Together Towards Socio-economic Transformation: Stimulating Economic Growth for Improved Livelihoods”.
“To transform our economy, create jobs & wealth for our people, we’ll continue to pursue efforts aimed at increasing both local & foreign investments, production, productivity, value addition &trade where our citizens will participate & benefit from economic activities,” Hichilema said.
On the mining sector, he said his administration is creating a conducive environment for increased investment & participation of the people, while positioning Zambia to take advantage of emerging opportunities in mining value chains at local, regional & global level.
“Your Government will ensure that major electricity generation projects, like Batoka Gorge Hydropower, which has potential to generate 2,400MW are implemented to support the rapid expansion of our economy & keep up with population growth demands,” he said on the issue of electricity.
Further, Hichilema explained that they’ve increased electricity generation to 10.8million MW hours during first half of this year, from 9.9 million MW hours in same period in 2021 which has been attributed to rise in water levels & commissioning of some of generator units at KGL Hydro Power Station.
On health, the Zambian leader said his administration is constructing 36 district hospitals countrywide.
“Working on completing the remaining 16 out of 115 mini hospitals and 83 out of a target of 650 health posts with all health centres to have maternity wings,” Hichilema explained.
Regarding education, he said his government firmly believes that education is the best leveler and will create additional learning space by building 120 secondary schools, in addition to the 115 schools whose construction started in previous years and which are in various stages of completion.
“Your government will ensure that by the end of 2023, no school child will be sitting on the floor, as we have launched an ambitious exercise to use the Constituency Development Fund to find desks for schools at the local level so that local people can take full responsibility of this important exercise,” he said.
