By Scoop Reporter
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has directed his provincial ministers not to relent as they strive to improve the welfare of all people, without leaving any one behind.
Commenting on the meeting he had with them yesterday, President Lungu says the world has never experienced a pandemic that forcibly and abruptly stopped or changed social and economic activities globally, to the extent that COVID-19 has done.
He says at every level and everywhere, the social and economic wellbeing of our people has thus been adversely impacted by COVID-19, consequently exerting pressure on Government to unprecedented levels.
He says in spite of this, he is of the firm belief that COVID-19 must not, and shall not, derail his Government’s development agenda.
“In this regard, I strongly urged my Provincial Ministers not to take their feet off the pedal, but instead; “accelerate development efforts towards the Vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind” in line with the theme of the 7NDP.
“I am equally aware that as Government, we are more than ever before called upon to improve the welfare of our people, and to ensure equitable development across the 10 regions of our country. I therefore instructed my Ministers to use innovative approaches, to continue to attract the desired investment into their respective provinces and achieve set objectives.
“I used the occasion to urge all Ministries, Government Departments and Agencies to ensure that they continue to enforce the measures put in place to safeguard our people’s health and lives. However, for this to be successful, all of us must commit to play our rightful respective roles.
“This means that; as we all make our noble efforts to put bread and butter on our tables, let us not do so in ways which endanger our lives and the lives of our loved ones,” President Lungu said.
He says this is one way in which Government shall safeguard livelihoods, provide employment opportunities and ensure continuity in economic activities, which are a bedrock of national survival.
“I have no doubt that we shall overcome, and achieve our Vision 2030 objectives. Therefore, let us embrace this same faith, accompanied by bold, continuous and innovative actions; to successfully achieve our Vision 2030 objective of “becoming a prosperous middle-income country,” he said.
