Zambia Can Do Better, Says HH

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says that Zambia can do better when it comes to economic growth.

“Countries like Ethiopia are forecasting their GDP growth to exceed 10% through Agriculture, Tourism and Manufacturing. While Zambia closed it's own at 2% in 2019. We can do better and we are indeed determined to create enormous economic growth that will be inclusive as agriculture and tourism are priority sectors in our economic recovery plan,” the opposition leader wrote on Facebook.

Meanwhile, economist Noel Nkhoma is urging the PF government to push for double-digit growth in light of the heavy debt burden the country is facing. “Two per cent GDP growth is basically being not in the position to service the debt,” Nkhoma is quoted as stating.

Mr. Hichilema has also this week spoken out in defence of Njenje Chizu and Prime TV on social media stating, “A journalist reports facts but because they are facts, you turn to either bribing him and if he does not accept, you threaten his or her life.”

“Everyone watched what ZESCO MD said, so ba PF you can do better. Leave Njenje Chizu and Prime Television alone and focus on fixing load shedding. And if anything happens to the journalist, those issuing threats on his life as recorded together with whoever sent them, will be held accountable for their actions.”

 “When in government next year, we will ensure that load shedding is a thing of the past by investing in other sources of energy such as solar and wind and that is possible because God blessed our nation with these natural resources. There will be no corruption in our government and our journalists are guaranteed of safety and freedom in the execution of their duty.”

“To Prime Television and Njenje Chizu, Zambia is behind and with you in this.”

Commenting on the case, civil society activist Laura Miti described Chizu as “the kind of courageous journalist Zambia needs.”