HH Opens Parliament, Outlines Plans For Economic Growth

President Hakainde Hichilema has officially opened parliament in the first session of the thirteenth assembly.

Mr Hichilema described the occasion as an “honour” which marked the beginning of his first five year mandate as the President of the Republic of Zambia. President Hichilema also noted that it was an honour to “be the first president to address this August House in the presence of the first female speaker of the house.”

The president’s address focused on change and economic growth including job creation and poverty reduction.  

“We have indeed inherited an economy that is in dire straits and requires bold and decisive action to be taken to ensure recovery. We need the support of every citizen to achieve our development agenda,” he said.

Economic transformation activities noted by the president included the development of the tourism sector, focus on small and medium enterprises as well as promotion of industrial innovation and creativity, to name just a few.

In order to develop the country further, the President stated that he hoped to unite its people who had been divided under previous leadership. 

“We need to focus on what unites us and not what divides us as a people. We are determined to usher in an era where politics are used to strengthen rather than weaken our unity,” President Hichilema added.

Finally, Hichilema commented on the current state of corruption within the country.

“Our administration abhors corruption. We have a zero-tolerance policy on corruption in all its forms. We will wage a war on corruption and not spare any expense to ensure that perpetrators are made to account for their impropriety.”