Growth coming – President Sata

– President Sata

ZAMBIANS must work hard and sacrifice in order for development to spread to all parts of the country as more resources will now be available after removal of subsidies, President Michael Sata has said.

Mr Sata said Government’s decision to remove subsidies on maize and fuel was meant to
equitably spread national resources to all Zambians across the country.

He said, therefore, that the Government could not maintain fuel subsidy at the expense
of many Zambians, especially those in rural areas who were wallowing in poverty.

The President was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the Inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service to commemoration this year’s Africa Freedom Day and the 50th anniversary of the African Union (AU).

National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo and People’s Party leader Mike Mulongoti attended the service.

Mr Sata cited First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and former UNIP secretary general Grey Zulu as some of the national heroes who greatly sacrificed and contributed to national development.

“Why should poor people, in particular those in rural areas, continue to suffer?

We can’t have fuel subsidy for vehicles of few people when majority of Zambians are living in poverty.

Removal of these subsidies is meant to benefit all Zambians to improve their welfare,” he said at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

This year’s theme is dubbed ‘Building on 50 Years of African Solidarity and Striving Towards Peace, Development and Prosperity For All’.

President Sata said Zambians should learn to work hard like Dr Kaunda and Mr Zulu among other freedom fighters that fought hard and incalculably sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the country.

He said the people of Zambia were currently enjoying peace because of Dr Kaunda, Mr Zulu and others who remained disciplined, committed and focused to ensure Zambia was liberated and developed.

The President said people should remain prayerful and committed to the work of God, especially that Zambia was now 49 years old, after attaining independence from colonial rule.

“God is seeing all of us and all good things we do will come to us.
Even you Diplomats, you should thank God for coming to Zambia, a peaceful nation. You are enjoying the good weather here,” he said.

President Sata read the second Bible reading from the book of Isaiah 61:1-3, while the first reading was read by Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Pukuta Mwanza from Leviticus 25:10-12.

Rev Mwanza said commemoration of the Africa Freedom day was important because it reminded people of the past and urged Africans to look to the future with renew hope.

“We pray with faith in a great God that he will enable us to surmount the problems we face and continue to overcome the challenges on our continent,” he said.

Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) chairperson Bishop David Masupa at the same occasion called on opposition leaders to offer constructive criticism to Government.

He said it would not always help opposition leaders to negatively attack Government without suggesting amicable solutions.

The President arrived at 13:35 hours and was received by Cabinet ministers among them Geoffrey Mwamba from Defence, and Christopher Yaluma of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication.

Defence chiefs were also on hand to receive the President.
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini and acting Chief Justic