President Edgar Lungu has said that he will engage the Minister of Health to consider which sectors of the economy should be unlocked to sustain activities amid the Covid-19.
The Head of State said that when Cabinet sits it will deliberate on progress made and what can be done next, adding that some sectors of the economy have to be unlocked even if it means people wearing masks for some time.
President Lungu said this after touring Trade Kings in the industrial area in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, President Lungu said the importation of goods that can be produced locally should be discouraged.
President Lungu said companies like trade Kings have shown that Zambian companies can produce world-class products, if well supported.
The President said by manufacturing goods locally, the government will NOT only create direct jobs but also support other sectors such as agriculture that provide raw materials.
President Lungu said it will be pointless to have manufacturing firms when raw materials are coming from outside. and that was why government has started putting in place infrastructure for Milk processing in various parts of the country.
President Lungu said the idea is to allow cooperatives to supply milk as raw materials to big companies like Trade Kings.
The Head of State said it is in this vein that the government will ask the African Development Bank -ADB -to help in the setting up of more milk processing plants in Zambia and that the government will support the growth of the manufacturing sector.
Kuwayawaya fye…..let there be light and there was light!
This is a joke of a president….. does this guy really understand the seriousness of the virus? He really thinks masks are a solution?
Ba Engineer, your hate for ECL is surely deep. Finshi amichita, kanshi??? Did his presidency block some political favour you were suppose to benefit from??
kaili takwata vision atemwa direction.
No comment
If I am not mistaken, only Bars, Restaurants and Schools have been closed for now. Manufacturing industries are still operational. So, why consider unlocking Firms that are not in lockdown in the first place? The Hospitality Industry, whether they like it or not, will remain troubled because not many people are enthusiastic about spending nights and having meals in Lodges and hotels during a pandemic like this one. So which firms are we talking about here? Is it Casinos for which I can’t say much for now?
Finally you forced him to come out, although not exactly as you wanted, but remember we were told by experts that he has his own unique style.
..different from Ramaphosa and other leaders in the world.
Good ba father. Our grste fight against covid is bringing positive results. Whipping can sometimes work . Effective patrol to places also. Mr president lusaka province thanks you.
True only bars, gyms, casinos & sports betting halls, nightclubs are affected. Minibuses, markets, street vending, industries, hardware shops, pharmacies, tuntemba and supermarkets etc are operational and have been operating since. So what’s being considered for unlocking??
This is the epitome of an excellent leader. A humble man who listens to his subordinates as he understand that they have the wealth of knowledge to help him make an informed decision. Unlike our friends in opposition whose leader hh just rushes to open mouth carelessly. You never hear from shadow health minister in upnd its alwars hh. It’s all about him . Clear signs of dictator. The man has lost many elections but refuses to leave
Bars and other places you people are mentioning employee Zambians and they are suffering those are the ones he is referring to. thanks
@Chicken: To add to your comment, those bars, gyms and betting halls have landlords who haven’t collected rentals. Those affected employees can’t pay rentals and spend money to fuel their local economies, suppliers to these sectors have equally taken a hard knock of less business activity….
this epidemic is manageable despite causing infections its mortality is low. we need to give people hope and now people are aware so their behaviours will change accordingly and have should only strengthen their care and case managed life can get back to know. I see behind covid-19 laziness brewing up. man cannot avoid illness neither can he stop death . life continues. take time to read about the history of epidemics world over you will see an interesting pictures. epidemics are their to shape human social and economic approaches. out of covid- 19 Zambia and Zambians will not be the same again. we shall see new thinking and new products coming up. now we can already see our tailors are making masks and this will continue it is a new product. now will have to tell a Zambian to cough…
@ Zambian Citizen
Why should i give praise to a guy who has taken our country so backwards? Are you benefiting from him to be happy with this incompetent useless guy. We were once a becon of light in Southern Africa. This useless guy has managed to destroy all that. We had a Zambia were people were free now cadres are the policemen, rule of law broken down. Yet you see something so good about him… He deserves to be jailed when he leaves office and he knows that…
What’s there to unlock? Only consumption businesses and schools? And not completely locked for that matter. People can still buy alcohol and food and consume at home and offices if it’s food. If it’s true that some funds and materials donated to fight covid-19 have been plundered is very unfortunate. We have not yet seen a lockdown fellow Zambians. What’s happening right now in our country is nothing. This just a partial lockdown
PLEASE,LUSAMBO AND KZ WHAT SENSIBLE THINGS ARE U GOING TO WRITE. SEAT AND REFLECT ON THE EVIL U HAVE COMMITTED. WE ARE WATCHING IN DENMARK OF YOUR DOWNFALL. U DON’T INSPIRE US.
ALIGANDA ALALA.AT THE TIME WE NEED U MOST WHERE WERE U? ATLEAST,I SEAT AND WATCH BORIS,MY QUEEN,PUTIN.THESE ARE GREAT NATIONS BUT OUR ECL IS GANDA CHAMBE.KIKIKI A COUNTRY OF JOKERS.
When we tell you that this man has no clue on running a country you think its a joke…he thinks he is running a katemba and playing with public health. I mean how can he engage with his junior another politician. In big economies that have also being hit harder you hear leaders letting medical experts take lead.
Seriously to have a business closed for a complete month it’s a serious blow. Paused rentals, lost employment, hunger, savings that were meant for investments used for food, continuous extension of closure can’t help the affected. We need a better strategy that aims at seriously preventing not only the disease but hunger too.
Just look the vile juvenile impostor playing around with the two accounts; notice how the moron leaves spaces between a full stop.
Ba engineer I don’t agree with you,yes face masks are important for now,@ Kaizer Zulu well spoken
Numbers don’t lie.
less than 2% GDP growth.
$19 billion foreign debt(See latest UN debt stat report).
1.5 Months import cover.
And you proudly call yourself President.
@ moralclarity
Do you release that you need special face masks? Go search on the internet. Europe has withdrawn all face masks from China, they do not prevent the virus… don’t be cheated that those cloth and paper masks you giving people will prevent the virus….
Wait for a few more weeks you will see
Moral, thank you for your comment. We encourage you to continue giving us constructive feedback and advice. Don’t mind the angry small minority of diasporans. They have been doing this apparently for years on this website. Its an addiction for them to insult the president and criticize anything that happens in Zambia. They are suffering from an acute case of inferiority complex and probably erectile dysfunction which leads to low self esteem. Kz
I think the President should consult the Cabinet and Cabinet should be guided by selected leading experts drawn from various fields of specialization including the business sector, inter alia.
Let us assume that Bars, Pubs and Casinos etc are allowed to open. This of course will be good for the Owners of such businesses and the Landlords whose buildings such businesses are conducted. But there is one challenge here, how will their clients enjoy their beer whilst wearing masks? Will masks be redesigned for Zambia to allow the use of straws for imbibing beer? Will beer now coming with straws?
Opening the economy is excellent idea from H.E. ECL because HUNGER virus surpasses CORONA virus.
LOL! Wezi, best commment ever!
If there was a button that says ‘shut up to press on @Tarino Orange and @The Engineer everyone would press it, because your reasoning makes you sound like empty teens, you are really making the most noise. The issue here is that safety for all is priority as far as the President is concerned. But there are two dynamics, on one hand you have learned people who understand the safety measures to take and stay safe and on the other hand you have the unlearned and poor who make up the larger majority as far as Zambia is concerned. For them to eat they would risk being infected with Corona because they have no choice but to go to the market and find money for ‘a hot place on the table’.
Just open the economy. It’s just a flu.
We have heard it all before . ‘Lets stop importing mangos from South Africa and grow our own .’ Nothing has happened since then and not a single mango has been planted by these lazy th!eves and sc@mbags .Only 48 houses without owners have been built .