President Hichilema: 2023 Will Be The Year Of Economic Recovery

During a State House media briefing earlier this week, President Hakainde Hichilema announced that he would dedicate the next year to economic recovery and improving transparency in all sectors of the economy.

He further outlined that the government would not make the same mistakes as its predecessors and take the correct measures to address challenges and ensure the correct use of public resources.

He said, “All arms of government such as the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary will be involved in ensuring prudent procurement of government resources.”

With regard to agriculture, he explained that the government is on track to clear up all forms of corruption in the process of buying fertilisers.

He also acknowledged that the work to remove corruption from this practice had resulted in delays to farmers receiving the fertilisers. 

He explained that by stamping out this form of corruption they limited the money taken away from citizens and that these funds can now be used to improve sectors such as education.

The president also explained that in 2023 the government will move from FISP to other agriculture programs to help farms explore alternative methods.

With regard to the media, he further emphasised the need for free and fair media. 

He stated that the media should be granted access to information without harassment.

Additionally, he outlined the government’s commitment to legal reforms and protecting human rights.

In light of this, he encouraged the removal of the death penalty.

He said, “If the government is afraid to exercise the death penalty then why keep it, it is better to remove it and just sentence the offender to live in imprisonment.”

Elsewhere he also indicated other legal reforms, such as the removal of the defamation of the President Act, which will allow citizens to exercise freedom of expression.

Finally, he encouraged the differing opinions of Zambian citizens and outlined that the government would work endlessly to ensure that their needs were met.