Lungu charms Mongu voters

THE Western Province is on course for unprecedented development spearheaded by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, the party’s president Edgar Lungu has said.
He said Western Province had been neglected since Zambia’s independence in 1964 but with the PF coming into office, Government has started implementing projects to develop the region.
Mr Lungu was speaking at Mulambwa Ground in Mongu yesterday during a mammoth campaign rally to seek votes for the January 20, 2015 Presidential election.
He said the PF government has embarked on several developmental programmes in health, education and road sectors.  Mr Lungu said the projects have led to several jobs being created, especially for youths.
He asked the Western Province electorate to vote for him in the presidential election so that he could continue with late President Sata’s vision of development and job creation.
Mr Lungu said it is only if the PF continues up to 2016 that people would be able to judge their performance.
“You can only judge the PF’s performance and late President Sata’s legacy after 2016,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Lungu has said he will not condone homosexuality in Zambia.
He said he offers no apology to some donors who say they would withdraw their financial assistance if government does not allow the practice of homosexuality.
Mr Lungu, who invited his wife Esther on stage, said a man is supposed to get married to a woman.
And Mrs Lungu thanked the people of Western Province for the massive support they have given the PF government and its presidential candidate Mr Lungu.
And Mr Lungu said there is no way opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema can claim he will continue where late President Sata left because he does not understand the vision the late President left.
He also said there was nothing new MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda can offer to the Zambians if voted into power.
He said the PF will continue with its pro-poor programmes because poor people also have the right to good life.
Mr Lungu continues his campaign trail today with another rally at Mandevu grounds in Lusaka.
Earlier on arrival in Mongu, Mr Lungu pledged to dialogue with the people of Western Province through the Baroste Royal Establishment (ERB) to enhance economic development.
Mr Lungu was accorded a thunderous welcome by Mongu residents on his arrival at the town’s airstrip aboard a private plane around 09:50 hours.
The road leading to the airstrip was jam-packed by both cars and people, who raised the clenched hand, the PF symbol, as Mr Lungu’s motorcade drove by.
Later, speaking in Limulunga before paying a courtesy call on the Litunga, the paramount chief, Mr Lungu said dialogue has proved to be one of the best ways of resolving differences.
Mr Lungu was accompanied by his wife, Esther, PF national chairperson Inonge Wina, Kabwata MP Given Lubinda, Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, Agriculture Minister Wylbur Simuusa and Local Government and Housing Minister Emerine Kabanshi, among others.
He also said that he is happy with the gift of a walking stick given to him by the Litunga when he last visited Mongu.
Mr Lungu, who was clad in a Lozi regalia, said that he feels at home when in Mongu because he has become familiar with the Lozi tradition.

Zambia Daily Mail