By REBECCA MUSHOTA and SYLVIA MWEETWA –
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has rescinded its decision not to attend the National Day of Prayers for Peace on Sunday, July 24, this year.
According to a statement issued by UPND secretary general Stephen Katuka yesterday, the party’s delegation will be led to the prayers by party vice-president for politics Canisius Banda.
The opposition party initially indicated that it would not attend the prayers for peace, a move that attracted condemnation by some sections of society.
Mr Katuka said that party leader Hakainde Hichilema would be touring Southern Province on the day of prayer, while his running mate Geoffrey Mwamba was scheduled to be in Northern Province at that time.
“But regardless of their location, they will be joining us in prayers on this matter of national importance, as they have done in the past. We will be praying also for justice for those who have been victims of acts of electoral violence and their families,” he said.
Mr Katuka said earlier in the week, Mr Hichilema attended prayers for peace hosted by the Church and the Law Association of Zambia.
The prayers seeking God’s intervention for peace during campaigns and elections were called by the Church after President Edgar Lungu asked the clergy to organise a day of prayer to end electoral violence.
President Edgar Lungu would grace the occasion.
Meanwhile Mr Hichilema has assured Zambians that he will use his 10-point plan to foster national development once voted into office on August 11.
Mr Hachilema said the UPND will prioritise job creation, education for every child and lower the prices of food.
This is according to a statement released by the UPND Media team yesterday.
Mr Hichilema who held rallies in Chiengi District in Luapuala yesterday shared his party’s vision for Zambia and expressed commitment to develop the country in an even way.
“It is not fair to see rural areas like Chiengi neglected when the people are working hard to contribute to economic development and facing serious challenges. As UPND we are not in the business of attacking people, but attacking ideas,” he said.
He said he was interested in fighting the common enemy of Zambia, which was poverty and appealed to the people of Luapula to vote for him and allow him to use his experience as a farmer, business executive and an economist, to fix the economy.
“We put this question to our friends in Chiengi, are you better off than you were five years ago? Is there more food on your table, is there more money in your pocket and are there more jobs in your area,” he asked.
He accused the Patriotic Front (PF) of failing the Zambians and that it was time to allow him to fix the country’s economy.