PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says he will not entertain public workers who delay implementation of projects meant to grow the economy and create jobs. Hichilema said his five-year renewed mandate will be ruthless against those who slow down actualization of government programs meant to improve people's lives. He added that he does not mind being unpopular

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PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says he will not entertain public workers who delay implementation of projects meant to grow the economy and create jobs.

Hichilema said his five-year renewed mandate will be ruthless against those who slow down actualization of government programs meant to improve people’s lives. He added that he does not mind being unpopular among a few people in the civil service because he is more worried about the welfare of 21 million Zambians, who are his “bosses.” Hichilema said this Tuesday when he commissioned the construction of Phase II of the United Capital Fertiliser urea plant expansion project in Lusaka, worth $1.6 billion. He warned that he will not condone anyone who delays implementation of projects aimed at creating jobs and wealth for Zambians through delayed approval of tenders, among others. “Anyone sitting on work, on projects, on investments, will not be HH’s friend,” the President said. Hichilema said he does not want public-private partnership projects to stall through prolonged tender processes at the expense of implementation. “Government should be looking for partners rather than wait for partners who are willing; when we find a willing partner in the private sector to work with us, let’s harness them, not walk them through a lengthy tender process of months, sometimes years. “This President, in this second term, will be ruthless about these issues, anyone sitting on work, on projects, on investments, will not be HH’s friend, because you are delaying the job creation for those people there,” he said. The President urged youths to report public workers with a laissez-faire attitude to work because such conduct delays progress. Hichilema said the fertilizer plant investment demonstrates the company’s confidence in the Zambian Government and the country’s economic prospects. He said Government will continue supporting investments that promote economic growth, industrialization and job creation in line with the Grow Zambia Agenda. He said his administration remains committed to meeting the needs of the people, regardless of whose interests might be affected in the process. He said UCF has pledged to invest a total of $5 billion by 2031 and urged the company to maintain its investment momentum. The President also called for increased investment in the chemical industry to promote value addition by transforming locally available raw materials into finished products. He added that Zambia can expand its industrial base by producing a wider range of chemical products, including explosives from coal.

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