President Edgar Lungu has urged the people of Livingstone and Southern Province to count on him.
President Lungu said he also counted on the people of Southern province.
“All I can say is I am one of you, count on me and as I will count on you,” he said.
He said this on arrival at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport ahead of the official opening of the 59th Local Government Association of Zambia Annual General Meeting and 12th Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL) at Chrisma Hotel.
Mr. Lungu was accompanied by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda and Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya.
He was welcomed at the airport by Local Government Minister John Phiri, Local Government Service Commission Chairperson Christah Kalulu, Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu, Provincial Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba and other senior government and Patriotic Front party officials.
President Lungu pledged to meet with some stakeholders during his visit to discuss various issues saying dialogue was the essence of living together.
“If I’ll have a bit of time, I will chat with some of you on a number of issues. Dialogue is the essence of living together. The dynamics of life demand that people keep interacting,” he said.
Mr. Lungu said he was keen to officiate at the LGAZ AGM as it would give him an opportunity to meet local government leaders and to make some important pronouncements.
He further said in spite of loving Mongu, Solwezi, Chipata, Mansa and other provincial capitals, Livingstone was special and he would keep coming back.
“Livingstone is a special city and I will keep coming back, whether you like it or not, but am grateful that you like my coming here, I’ll come again,” he said.
Earlier, Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said preparations were underway to confer President Lungu with the ‘Free man of the city’ status.
“We would like at the earliest possible time to recognise and honour you with the ‘Free man of the city’ status because you are the most travelled President to the city of Livingstone, than your predecessors,” he said.
Mr. Mubukwanu said Mr. Lungu’s regular visits showed his commitment and love for Southern Province and the city of Livingstone.
The Local Government Association of Zambia interacts with government at the highest level to provide policy direction to local government.
Southerners, ignore this clown. He’s incompetent. He has no vision – he said it himself.
But pali drama aba ba guy. He looks gay
Ba President any comment on trapped miners? You are just walkabout everywhere.
How can he say “I am one of you” when he preaches wako-ni-wako when he is among easterners. Trust Lungu as you would a lion among your cattle, bakachema. Lungu lies all the time – he says one thing and does something else.
Look at the pose on the rooftop. You would think its notorius BIG or 2pac in town.
@ Suntwe wa Suntwe
Look at the picture.
If you exclude “security”, only one person watching motorcade.
Did you advise Southerners to ignore him?
It looks, they took your advice seriously!
You are right suntwe wa suntwe. People should not be taken for a ride. This one has done nothing. He can’t point anything to be added to his name as a plus. Only loadshedding and the falling Kwacha. Shame.
You are just shamed people there are no longer interested in you sir due to your insensitivity and bad economy.
Olo mufuna Olo simufuna nizayamba kubwera…end of quote. Sometimes I just wonder why ECL has joined me in whispering carelessly.
Have the four miners been found at mopani?
” All I can say is that I’m one of you”… what a joke. At least he’s being honest that he doesn’t have anything else to talk about to the people.
(Whether you like it or not i will keep on coming.) who said you should not be coming to southern province ? You can be coming as many times as you want it but if you still keep Chama, Mumbi, Kambwili still no vote for you. You will beleave in 2016.
UPND since when did you vote PF? Ba foolish clever.
am Bemba and now i see easterners don’t have leadership qualities. RB and EL there have really messed us up. Sata MHSRIP really tried to improve our lives but this EL has just come as a tourist. He is so vision less
Why should Southerners support you EL when Copperbelt have stopped supporting PF. HH come to Kitwe we are waiting for you forget about what happened. This time we will protect you, we are geared. This message is from transporters, vendors, Miners and other well wishers. 2016 for change. HH in EL out.
Talk for your self .
If someone relied on bloggers as source of data must think twice. There’s all sorts of hate speeches and trybalistic remarks be traded here. HE lungu is above your petty politicking and he is liked everywhere you go. Southern province is now getting to like him living under 5 popularity on online medium. Mukose ba mbuli but 2016 count yourselves defeated.
Just look at the “well wishers” and “popular” Lungu in the picture.
I will only count on you when you say something about the economy. I expect a press conference of you addressing the many challenges the country is facing at that conference, you must give us some hope that you are doing something about the status qou. And i am a staunch PF. If you continue travelling like this, today you are opening this conference, today you are opening a store, today you are in Uganda(surely what can we get from Uganda, even them have not even seen the discovered oil), just sit down and sort out the issues.
Look Edgar, we know our issues cannot be sorted overnight but atleast give a direction. Since you are always travelling i reckon most of the briefs you are given could be at airports and whilst you are in transit, meaning your concentration could be compromised. Most bloggers mean well, take the positives out of criticism, you are a man. Give us direction.
What beats me is why these two guys fear to give a press conference, what is the jinx here? Being a lawyer sure you can also fall prey to superstition? Give us a break Mr President stand up and be counted!
President Lungu has put in a strong winning formulae which will shock the opposition including the now new Post Vuvuzela Mike Mulongoti in 2016. They thought it will happen the same way Rupia was removed by Sata. Edgar is very clever no wonder he got a distinction in Law at UNZA and went on to pass at ZIALE with flying colours on first attempt. He talks less but plans ahead every day. Sata was the first to realise this. UPND Party yabakankala (Party for rich) will not manage to beat him. Just watch his rise to power carefully and you will agree with me.
Don’t waste your time developing Southern province with a view to receive support from southerners these people don’t appreciate.They are difficult people to work with
The last time I checked people in Southern province also paid taxes you id!ot. Developing any region in this country is not a favour because Lungu does not use his money but our money. But being PF is an insult to the brain mwe. Kalulu, bushe ulimukulu nangu chi dependant fye?
You are right Kalulu they even refused to work with Mwanwasa this time under five would have been president. Mr President please we know they can not vote for you but do not ignore them continue changing Southern province. Tribalists are difficult to change soon GBM will be shown the true colours of UPND.
Nobody in PF critical leadership should listen to demands by the tribal Tongas to have key and strategic leaders in PF removed on flimsy and false accusations. Period.