By Christopher Miti
EASTERN Province deputy permanent secretary Beauty Undi-Phiri says President Hakainde Hichilema has an agenda of changing the narrative of the country into a better one.
Officiating at a two-day Chipata Business Summit which ended on Friday, Undi-Phiri noted that people who failed to manage the country were now telling Zambians that the UPND government should manage and change the country in five to six months.
“We have heard some critics saying that in a few months’ time, President Hakainde Hichilema should bring development. Here you can see that you have a President in the State House who is very keen and has the agenda to guide and change the narrative of this country into a better country,” she said.
“Today, the critics who failed to manage this country are telling us that we should manage and change this country in five to six months. Let me remind you that Zambia has a President who really thinks about the welfare of the people. It is up to us as Zambians to ensure that we grab the opportunities that have been given by His Excellency.”
Undi-Phiri said the government had given a conducive environment where people were free to conduct business regardless of where they came from.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. As long as you are a Zambian, His Excellency is saying he is going to support you. This is the main reason why Constituency Development Fund has come back to the various communities, it is for you to be supported by this government,” she said.
“Today, you don’t need to know anyone in government for you to do business. For you to be connected and for you to do anything, you don’t need to know anyone. President Hichilema is saying as long as you are Zambian, as long as you have an idea to bring something to the economy, he says he shall support you through cooperatives and various business ventures that will come into being. He shall support you.”
Undi-Phiri said the government would not look at how many were criticising it but to concentrate on working for the people.
She said the Chipata business summit and exhibition provided a rare opportunity for people to improve the outlook of the province which has a lot of business potential.
“Let’s not look at how many people are criticising us but what we have done in the short period of time that we have been in power. It clearly shows that in a short period of time, even when others are saying we did not create jobs… Did they create jobs themselves?” asked Undi-Phiri.
“If it’s 70 jobs that have been given to a province, at least we are creating jobs. Today, I remind Zambians that if indeed we need development, let’s rally behind His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema.”
Chipata Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairperson Richard Kumwenda said the expo provided a rare opportunity for the business community to see how it could tap into the business potential that existed in the region.
He said the responsibility that the business community and government had was huge and needed a lot of commitment.