By Veronica Mwale
Ndola -22nd January, 2023
BRANCHES AND WARDS ARE THE LIFE BLOOD OF THE UPND PARTY AND THERE IS NEED TO PULL IN ONE DIRECTION -HON MATAMBO
United Party for National Development (UPND) Copperbelt Province Chairman Hon Elisha Matambo said wards and branches are the life blood of the UPND party .
The UPND chairman who is also Copperbelt Province Minister said going forward there is need to continue mobilizing the party starting from the wards and branches across the province.
Hon. Matambo was speaking yesterday at Hindu Hall Kanini ,in Ndola where he met United Party for National Development (UPND) party officials on his continued party mobilization drive across the Copperbelt Province of Zambia.
The Copperbelt Minister further said there is need for all party officials to get back to the grassroots and continue seeking people’s views from the ground, branches and wards because they are the owners of the party.
Hon Matambo highlighted major economic developments achieved by Hakainde Hichilema.He pointed out achievements in stabilisation of the economy, the fight against corruption which has given Zambia’s Pre -eminent position in the comity of nations. He added that since President Hichilema assumed power many areas have received a shot in the arm .Among them he stated is restoration of rule of law that has become more anchored and respect for human rights which is being applauded all over the world.
Hon Matambo added that he has started jump- starting the party mobilization drive going forward and all party officials should move in tandem to go back to the grassroots, wards and branches because the wards and branches are the oxygen and life blood of the UPND party and there is need to explain to the people .
He also encouraged the party officials to embrace everyone as a unit of purpose.
“Embrace everyone, you are the party officials for everybody and let us all unite and move as united force.”He said.
He further stated that Zambia’s reputation, with the donor community financially assisting government’s efforts…adding that President Hakainde Hichilema want to be remembered in the annals of Zambian politics for promoting the philosophy of people’s welfare as the crux of the people of Zambia.
He called on all officials to stand on the side of the President , people and working tirelessly for the down -trodden from the years of damning poverty.
The UPND Copperbelt helmsman made it clear to the party officials that if there were those who think that PF will come back to power, there were cheating themselves…it will never happen. “He said.
He assured party officials that all the bottle-necks hampering the Constituency Devepment Fund (CDF) will be removed going forward as all projects under CDF will be done at the provincial level through local government officer supervised by the permanent secretaries.
He also disclosed that going forward the district commissioners will also be part of CDF committees as supervisors.
The Minister implored all party officials to flag-off mobilization exercise going forward by starting from the branches and wards and defend the President from fake propaganda being peddled by doomsayers.
He urged UPND party officials to join efforts stopping propaganda being thrown at the Head of State by starting to talk and not to remain mute .
He reminded the party officials that President Hakainde Hichilema is on top of things as all economic indicators are pointing to that in just under one and half years further assuring them that Copperbelt province will get better and Zambia is headed for glory days again.
“Think about teargases, think about brutality which the PF inflicted on you. “He said.
Meanwhile, UPND Senior National Management Committee(NMC) Member Major Curtis Foloshi hailed the advent of the Copperbelt Province Chairman for the iniative of getting back to grassroots.
Major Foloshi said his wish is to see similar programmes being rolled out across the the country.
He further encouraged all senior UPND leadership to emulate what Hon. Matambo what he is doing on the Copperbelt.
“Thank you very much for coming up with the mobilization drive of the party Keep it up let others do the same across the country.” He said.
The Copperbelt Province Chairman is on the tour of party mobilization drive across Copperbelt Province accompanied by UPND Copperbelt Province Vice- Chairman for administration Mr Jestopher Kolala, UPND Youth Chairman Wallen Hinyama, Copperbelt Province Chairlady Patricia Mwaanga, Ndola District Chairman Onesmus Mudenda among others.
More than 400 party officials drawn from around Ndola turned up for the meeting and have since pleaded to continue mobilizing, rallying behind President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND party.
CIC PRESS TEAM