President Hakainde Hichilema has appealed to Zambians to exercise patience as the new dawn government sets on revamping and restructuring the economy.
President Hichilema said that the economic benefits from measures his government has put in place will start to be visible in a few years.
The President said that the new dawn government has embarked on economic reforms that are meant to put the country on a sound footing and underscored the importance of the devolution programme of taking resources away from Lusaka to rural areas saying the move will spur economic activity and help create jobs in the countryside.
President Hichilema was speaking when he took part in a virtual panel discussion on protecting the democratic institutions: elections, the rule of law and resilient information space, which has been organised by US President Joe Bidden.
And, President Hichilema assured Zambians that there will be no reversal of the democratic gains the country has made under the new dawn administration.
President Hichilema said the new era of openness and freedom of expression that his government has ushered in is here to be shared and enjoyed by all Zambians.
He said since coming to power in August this year, the government has set in motion measures that build a diverse and inclusive government but uphold human rights and promote the rule of law.
The Head of State said his government has also enhanced collaboration with all stakeholders such as civil society and cooperating partners.
President Hichilema also highlighted measures taken in restoring media freedom, the separation of power among wings of government and the management of public resources.
The President has been taking part in the two-day US Summit for Democracy at the invitation of US President Joe Bidden.
Earlier in the day, President Hakainde Hichilema officiated at the graduation ceremony of 1, 341 officer recruits at the Zambia Police, Lilayi Training College in Lusaka.
At the ceremony, the President said that his administration wants to develop a robust security system capable of protecting the country and that this can only be done with well-trained security personnel who are loyal and dedicated to duty.
The President further said that the UPND administration supports the autonomy of security wings, adding that days of overbearing political influence that undermines police officers are over as the UPND administration will not allow and tolerate the vulnerability of officers, adding he will not tolerate cadreism in the police service.
President Hichilema said by protocol, he was not supposed to grace the occasion but saw it fit because of his desire to see an honourable and effective Police Service committed to serving the country.
He urged the graduands to uphold high levels of professionalism by treating people fairly and respecting rights of citizens.
And the Head of State directed the Zambia Police Command to develop a new training curriculum to turn Lilayi College into an effective in-service police training centre and that training facilities are earmarked to be moved to Chibombo.
President Hichilema further directed Police not to detain suspects for over 48 hours without presenting them to the court and that they should offer bonds were necessary unlike was the case with him being detained at Lilayi Police for eight days without app
aring before court.
President Hichilema also warned officers against engaging in corrupt practices in all forms.
And Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu said the new dawn government will not tolerate a situation where people usurp the role of the police officers.
He said the police must take up their space of fairly and firmly enforcing the law without fear or favour.
Mr. Mwiimbu said officers should also respect the fundamental rights of citizens as they carry out their duties.
The Minister further implored police in the country to adhere to President Hichilema’s call for professionalism in carrying out their duties.
He pledged the new dawn government’s determination to address challenges such as transport and poor infrastructure as implementation of the 2022 national budget commences.
Mr. Mwiimbu said his Ministry will ask for authority to recruit more officers next year to reduce the police citizen ratio as a way of curbing crime.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba called on new recruits to be firm in enforcing the law but fair on everyone while observing human rights.
Mr. Kajoba also urged the officers to go out there and make a difference by bringing to book lawbreakers regardless of their social status.
And Lilayi College Commanding Officer, Paul Achume said 1 347 people had been recruited but one died during training while others were ejected for indiscipline.
Its mainly PF zealots and empty tins like sean zero who are making noise.
Still reeling from the August 12th election defeat.
Most Zambians are patiently and quietly monitoring how the UPND government is performing.
The people will talk when the right time comes.
Please work at your pace Mr President, your mandate is 5 years. We know you will make a difference. PF promised us more money in our pockets and for ten years there was zero money in our pockets, but we know UPND will fulfill
Only the PF losers on LT are the ones used to money in your pockets in 3 months and free cash handouts, while the 2.8 million majority wait patiently……….
People will communicate tthrough the ballot box
We will be patient Mr President, every sane Zambain knows that ten years of PF damage can not be repaired in even 3 years, we will be very patient as Zambians
@Spaka
Go to Zambia today and start saying Foward Forward and see what will happen to you…..just like when you go to Malawi today and start saying Chakwera Chakwera…trust me they will skin you alive
Which Zambia? You are just a bitter PF clown….
The damage was too much in Zambia, inflation double digit, exchange rate double digit, reserves percentage zero digit, unemployment levels zillion digit, price of mealie meal was left at K30 by MMD and the rejected PF government in their wisdom took it to K150, we will be patient, these are not things that can sorted out in one year, PF failed to fulfill their more money in peoples pockets promise in ten years but they now want UPND to fulfill its promises in three months, just how
Signs are clear that now we have a more focused leadership. Zambia is in better hands at this moment. There is that peace on the faces of most Zambians except those who may have committed crime and engaged in corruption. They want to claim that they are being targeted for their tribe when in fact not. They engaged in corruption as individuals. Their tribe mates are suffering just like most Zambians from other regions. The Rule of Law being fairly applied will offer confidence to the economy. Man, Zambia is behind you. Focus on the bigger picture and we shall develop this country together. God be with you Mr President.
Blah blah blah blah still making speeches….it turns out HH during campaigns and HH in office are two different individuals…he sounded like a genius when he was campaigning but it turns he’s an empty tin….he has an overseas trip coming up in a few days…..
African Politicians….they vote them into office after fake promises and now complaining that the damage is too much….don’t you think that’s the reason why you’re in office…..otherwise if there was no damage you should have just ended your Political career in opposition….anyway you’re a one term President….and you will be lucky if you will last 2 years in office before Zambians get to the streets and force you out of office….LIAR
HA HA HA A ONE TERM ??
IF CROOKED PF LASTED 10 YEARS
GUARANTED UPND WILL GO 20 YEARS
You are a liar, Mr. President. That is what you will be remembered for. You promised Zambians the moon when you were campagning. Now that you are in power and know you will not deliver, you are telling Zambians to be patient. Your lies are coming back to bite you, and bite you deep and hard. No one, apart from your praise singers from North Western Zambia, can trust you any more. People now know you for who you are, as BALLY THE LIAR.
The political development will usher in economic development. PF left the political insanity in the country which is now being controlled by the New Dawn Government. The ministers to this president are kept miles away from corruption space.
#9 Astrologically…Unip almost 30 years, MMD 20 years PF 10 years, Upnd? Depending on how we are treated and the voting in the three provinces.
7 wasted years with a moron and his gang of thieves
Mr President I perceive you are asking for patience from Hungry people and Angry Youth. I wish you good lucky and Godspeed.
New dark president says you will see the results in a ‘few years to come’ not months.
The goodness is that even people who voted for upnd will suffer together with people who voted for PF.
Hunger doesn’t know upnd and pf.
The last time a politician asked for patience, people realized that a single digit fuel price in 14days was a lie, fertilizer at K250 was a lie, Kwacha gaining at inauguration was a lie, unbiased fight against corruption was a lie, a promise to be impartial was a lie, having a plan for the country instead of selling sovereignty to IMF was a lie, Free education from grade one to university was a lie, employing thousands of civil servants was a lie, allowing ACC to be autonomous was a lie.
Lies lies lies lies.
Indeni is closed, traveling too much.
Bakelenka ba puti, bamunjemunje, bapompwe ba cockroach.
The last time a politician asked for patience, people realized that a single digit fuel price in 14days was a lie, fertilizer at K250 was a lie, Kwacha gaining at inauguration was a lie, unbiased fight against corruption was a lie, a promise to be impartial was a lie, having a plan for the country instead of selling sovereignty to IMF was a lie, Free education from grade one to university was a lie, employing thousands of civil servants was a lie, allowing ACC to be autonomous was a lie.
Lies lies lies lies.
Indeni is closed, traveling too much.
Ba.kele.nka ba puti, ba.mun.je.mu.nje, bap.omp.we ba coc.kroa.ch.
Mr President, we will try to be patient but your habit of lying is worrisome such that even the “few years’ time” you are asking us to wait for these results is difficult to believe now. Remember the dollar appreciating on inauguration day? Fertilizer to cost K250? Mealie meal to cost K50? Fuel prices to come down? So this is hard. May be this is your style of leadership, I really don’t know. As for me, I promise you I will be patient as you have asked. We have only one country and we want you to succeed, but please talk less but act more. This is likely to be your greatest enemy.
The bible says “when words are many slander is never absent”
“After my swearing in at !0:00hrs, the Kwacha will appreciate at !4:00hrs>”. “More money in your pocket”! Politicians will tell you, “The sky is green”!
IS AFRO hairstyle or sign of AKASO? Haircut is wasting resources
#5Â Â SaulosiÂ
December 11, 2021 At 9:20 am
“@Spaka
Go to Zambia today and start saying Foward Forward and see what will happen to you…..just like when you go to Malawi today and start saying Chakwera Chakwera…trust me they will skin you alive..”
Stop telling lies iwe… …..
I have ears and eyes on the ground in zambia…………
Things are moving smoothly……….
Yeah, I still have confidence in the current government. We have some patience for you. Some of us know the time to really judge you. Not just yet
Of course it is something to celebrate. There’s a mountain of debt that PF accumulated and it has to be paid back. The Eurobonds are medium term loans and they are maturing within 3 years . Next year Zambia has to cough out $700m in Eurobond repayments. This is money Zambia does not have as can be seen in the coupon default of less than $50 million by the Lungu regime. The Agreement with the IMF gives Zambia a chance to restructure the loans on a long term repayment period. This will give Zambia a chance to grow the economy . Without the agreement , we risk economic instability because every default will be followed by a loss in the value of the kwacha , increased inflation and attendant loss in purchasing power.
China/South Korea took 30yrs to achieve economic miracle,PF promised “more money in your pockets in 90days” and PF zealots believed the lie,HH calls for patience and he’s attacked-
This illustrates whats wrong with Zambian psyche and why we’re still poor since 1964.
No problem, we are a patient people. Remember U waikuta asontela ubwali kukanwa….. meaning when you have eaten your fill and a hungry person asks you where the food is, you point him with your mouth instead of giving proper directions.
People please stop using the MASSIVE DEBIT LEFT BY EDGAR LUNGU & Co as an excuse. You knew very well that things were bad and accordingly you must have prepared adequately for it. It shouldn’t be a SURPRISE. People chose you because you projected yourselves as a solution to the mess created by Edgar Lungu & Co.
Now we have irresponsible government who only complain, when will he know that is incharge, this is total foolishness.
PF never removed those subsidies it is you removing them and the consequences are yours not PF.
No rain in Zambia are you saying ECL has taken away rain.
The president must quickly call for two days of repentance ,prayer and fasting for insulting the Lord.
By taking this nation to the ancestral spirits where he danced mocking God.
This a serious matter.
HH was inspiring an an opposition leader with all the promisesnof how he will change the lives of Zambians. Now we are told things will be better on few years time. Dream differed.
Boom up goes fuel price… to every action there’s a reaction- –bus fares up__ next will be mealie meal.
#28 Matumbo,… The PF were stealing, Upnd were telling lies. Nothing choose from so I stayed home.