. Lungu

By MAYA NTANDA –
PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) president Edgar Lungu yesterday launched the party’s national campaign for the January 20, 2015 presidential election with a pledge to continue building on the works done so far.
Mr Lungu has also promised to create a much brighter future for Zambians.
Speaking at Freedom Park in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Lungu, who was accompanied by his wife Esther, PF national chairperson Inonge Wina and secretary general Davis Chama, said the party was proud of its achievements and had embarked on an ambitious but achievable infrastructure development programme.
Mr Lungu said the flagship programme of the late President Michael Sata had seen new roads across the country upgraded to bituminous standards and construction of hospitals, clinics and health centre’s to bring health services to the people, thereby saving lives.
He told a jubilant crowd that braved the rains to attend the rally that the PF Government had projects and programmes in the education sector and believed that education provided an opportunity to lift Zambians out of poverty.
Mr Lungu said the Government was providing water and sanitation projects aimed at bringing clean and safe drinking water to communities, thereby reducing water-borne diseases, and was delivering fertiliser to depots across the country before the onset of the rainy season.
“As a party we are proud of what we have done so far. The PF Government had embarked on an ambitious but achievable infrastructure development such as the opening up of the country through the Link Zambia 8000 project,” he said.
Mr Lungu said the PF Government would prioritise reducing fuel and mealie meal prices, address unemployment challenges and the setting up of new manufacturing industries countrywide.
“Unemployment is the biggest crisis we have as a country as many of our young people remain unemployed. We have to build on programmes that we started that create jobs, especially our initiatives to create new industries in rural areas that harness our potential and add value to our products.
Mr Lungu said local contractors and suppliers would be empowered to ensure that they grew significantly by giving them opportunities in order for them to create employment and expand.
He also said the PF Government would address the housing deficit and embark on an ambitious housing project which would provide affordable housing.
On the Constitution, Mr Lungu said a legal framework would be drawn up that would enable the country achieve a credible and durable Constitution that would stand the test of time.
He urged members to act with restraint even in moments of provocation because the PF was a peaceful party and that violence and intimidation was not part of its culture and should not be tolerated.
Earlier, a moment of silence was observed in honour of Mr Sata who died on October 28 this year.
Those who attended the launch were Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda and his Nchanga counterpart Wylbur Simuusa, Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) leader Father Frank Bwalya and People’s Party president Mike Mulongoti.
Others were Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata, Chief Nkana, Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and his Home Affairs counterpart Ngosa Simbyakula.
Also in attendance were Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma, Works and Supply Minister Yamfwa Mukanga, Chiefs and Tradition Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo and Tourism Minister Jean Kapata.