ZONDA UZALEMA; THE PRESIDENT WILL BE RUTHLESS IN THIS SECOND TERM, SAYS HH
President Hakainde Hichilema has advised Zambians not to wait for a bus without tyres but instead board a vessel that already had passengers and is moving.
And President Hichilema says the president in this second term will be ruthless about government officials unnecessarily delaying to approve investment projects.
Speaking at the groundbreaking launch of United Capital Fertilizers’ US $1.6 billion urea plant expansion in Chilanga, President Hichilema said he does not want projects to be subjected to lengthy approval procedures before they are approved.
“For the government colleagues, we should be looking for partners rather than waiting for partners, when we find a willing partner in the private sector to work with us, let us harness them. Let’s not walk them through a lengthy tender process of months, sometimes years,” President Hichilema said.
“This president in this second term will be ruthless about these issues. Anyone sitting on work; on projects; on investments will not be HH’s friend because you’re delaying the job creation for those people there. It is a simple as that.”
He urged labourers to report government officials delaying implementation of projects.
“Naimwe baiche, when you see officers delaying projects, shout. Muzikamba. Baka komboka, bakaenda kumanyumba kwabo, nikusiya tuma notes, say ‘you wake up. Why uchedwesa project. Twamvelana? You are my partners; you are the one who elected me to office. My interest is to serve 21 million Zambians more than a few bosses in government positions who are just maybe 5, 000,” he said.
“I am happy to be unpopular amongst them as long as I can deliver for you the people of Zambia. I don’t need popularity of 5, 000 people. I need to satisfy 21 million Zambians – I know where my bosses are and you’re my real bosses.”
President Hichilema who encouraged government institutions like Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to expedite the bringing on board new investment, urged Zambians not wait for wait for a vehicle without “tyres” but instead join the one that is in motion already.
“Zonda uzalema [hate all you want, but you will just get tired of it]. Washala washala! Washala washala! Yo zula zula. Ili kulonga ka? Ulindila bus ilibe my tyre? Ngena yo zula zula yo longa! Let’s grow Zambia together; no one will do it for us. Let us do it together